1
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence
economists warning of a threatening recession
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
a threatening silence followed the loud thump in the adjoining motel room
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
threatening rocks lined that narrow stretch of the river through which we would be rafting
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in menacing
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of threatening
Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
Penny’s lawyers, on the other hand, portrayed him as a good Samaritan being unfairly punished for trying to help fellow passengers through a frightening moment when the homeless man entered the train in what several said was a threatening manner.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Dec. 2024
Scott Galvin, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Dec. 2024
Additionally, in a request for a restraining order, Hardman was accused of threatening someone’s life.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for threatening 
Adjective
The defense’s case focused on emphasizing Neely’s threatening behavior, character witnesses from Penny’s time in the US Marines and challenges to the medical cause of Neely’s death.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
Penny’s lawyers, on the other hand, portrayed him as a good Samaritan being unfairly punished for trying to help fellow passengers through a frightening moment when the homeless man entered the train in what several said was a threatening manner.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
Unfortunately, Congress is now threatening to pass a bill that could not only restrict access to these spaces but also limit the content allowed online — which stands to disproportionately impact the LGBTQ community.
—Scott Galvin, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Dec. 2024
Additionally, in a request for a restraining order, Hardman was accused of threatening someone’s life.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
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Bluey is not happy about the impending move, and neither is her mother, Chilli, despite her efforts to be supportive.Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
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There is hope for a diplomatic easing of tensions with the impending Trump administration.GuruFocus, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Wall Street Journal: The GOP spending rebellion is an ominous sign for Trump’s all-Republican government.Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
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One moment, Hoult’s walking along a dirt road in the dark toward the ominous moonlit castle of Count Orlok.Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Alaska Alaska is under winter weather warnings with heavy snow, blowing snow, and wind gusts up to 40 mph creating dangerous travel and frostbite risks.Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
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Now, with dangerous policy changes set to follow, American Muslims and Jews must urgently restore positive relations.Walter Ruby, Baltimore Sun, 25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Luis is building a hotel for Herr König (Dan Stevens, a scream queen in his own right), whose eccentric behavior points to a sinister agenda.Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
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All this hints at a more sinister story inside; this was a factory for a highly addictive drug called Captagon.Greg Myre, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Winds and hazardous Roads The northern Rockies and High Plains, including Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and Iowa, have already seen powerful winds on Thursday, posing a serious risk to drivers.Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
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According to a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service in Wilmington, light snow, or a snow and rain mix, is likely to hit Greater Cincinnati on Friday.Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Wilson, 46, is charged with murder, manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child for the explosion of violence inside the victim’s apartment on Macombs Road near Inwood Ave.John Annese, New York Daily News, 21 Dec. 2024
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Pete Arredondo argued that he was wrongly charged, placing blame on the shooter for endangering victims during the May 24, 2022, school attack that left 19 children and two teachers dead.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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People can stay safe from possible carbon monoxide poisoning by taking precautionary measures.Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
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But the news about imports of alcohol will likely cause even more anxiety in an industry that is already on edge about the possible return of tariffs on American whiskey, which according to reports could reach a staggering 50 percent in the spring.Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Egerton and Bateman are both fantastic in this, and who knew Michael Bluth could be this level of menacing?Paul Tassi, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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In the memo obtained by WIRED, DHS displays less confidence in its ability to detect menacing drones.Dell Cameron, WIRED, 17 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near threatening
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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