1
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence
economists warning of a threatening recession
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of threatening
Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Police find threatening letter Jiang was approached by church volunteers, who were concerned over his behavior, when authorities responded on Sept. 24, 2023, according to prosecutors.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
The Palisades fire has garnered headlines, but the Hurst and Eaton fires have also been threatening very populated areas.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Adjective
Snakes – almost – on a plane A scorpion, whether it's stowed away on a plane or not, isn't the most threatening thing to turn up at an airport in the U.S.
The Transportation Security Administration regularly posts on its social media page about the dangerous items its agents find at U.S. airports.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Police find threatening letter Jiang was approached by church volunteers, who were concerned over his behavior, when authorities responded on Sept. 24, 2023, according to prosecutors.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
Richard curses again, threatening Blum.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
The Palisades fire has garnered headlines, but the Hurst and Eaton fires have also been threatening very populated areas.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
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That’s why Jun-no’s former employer, Sanin Corporation, enlists him to deal with the company’s impending financial crisis.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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The country had an opportunity for that course correction in 2012, when Mitt Romney and Ryan warned of the impending crisis.—
Jay Cost,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Although the change sounds ominous, the option only worked on three devices: the 4th generation Echo Dot, the Echo Show 10 and the Echo Show 15.—
Andrew Torgan,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
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The ominous outlook sent FedEx shares down nearly 10 percent in Friday morning trading.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Africa, where the World Health Organization has deemed skin bleaching a dangerous and common phenomenon, is no exception.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2025
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Directed by John Carpenter, Escape from New York taps into the anxieties at the height of Cold War paranoia and urban decay fears, presenting a future where America’s own cities have become as dangerous as any foreign battlefield.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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When powered on, the TV reveals four children apparently trapped inside and held captive by sinister forces.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2025
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The new Rhino release amplifies the darkness, letting every sinister detail seethe to the surface.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Before the hatch is opened, crews will do a final inspection of the spacecraft to make sure no hazardous materials are present.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
19 Mar. 2025
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However, no hazardous weather is expected this weekend through midweek.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
19 Mar. 2025
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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Cloe Workman, 20, is charged in Hamilton County Municipal Court with misdemeanor child endangering and domestic violence.—
Cameron Knight,
The Enquirer,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Wind gusts of up to 60 mph are also possible and could reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less for large parts of the day making travel difficult or even impossible in some areas.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
18 Mar. 2025
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As for the future of the show, Barbato and Bailey say anything is possible, including a potential second show and a Broadway expansion.—
Lawrence Yee,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2025
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Dozens of Musk fans targeted Costa with menacing direct messages, social media posts and emails.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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