as in to endanger
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence
economists warning of a threatening recession
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of threaten
Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2025
The two nations threatened retaliation of their own, raising the prospects of a broader regional trade war.
—Fabiola Sánchez, Twin Cities, 3 Feb. 2025
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025
After receiving yet another threatening call that evening, the pastor’s resolve crumbled.
—John Blake, CNN, 19 Jan. 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 threaten 
Verb
Trump's rhetoric -- including threatening for months to shutter the Department of Education -- has created fear throughout the department, according to Smith.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2025
The two nations threatened retaliation of their own, raising the prospects of a broader regional trade war.
—Fabiola Sánchez, Twin Cities, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The stalemate continues, but the threatening undercurrent suggests this may not last.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025
After receiving yet another threatening call that evening, the pastor’s resolve crumbled.
—John Blake, CNN, 19 Jan. 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 threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Adjective
-
Take Donald Trump’s impending executive order on ...—
Jack Butler,
National Review,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Dolson wants that to stop and hopes an early announcement about Woodson’s impending departure calms the waters.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Listen to this article A student in North Haven was arrested Monday after allegedly sending a photo of a firearm to a group chat with other students which was accompanied by an ominous message advising them not to go to school.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 Jan. 2025
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Zhu, working with cinematographer Daisy Zhou, stages these scenes with hints of horror; the intimate vantage points are particularly ominous against Eli Keszler’s haunting score.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This amount can weigh down trees and power lines — causing power outages — and make travel dangerous to borderline impossible.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
-
This feeds into Newcastle’s 2-0 advantage which, as another cliche tells us, is the most dangerous lead in football.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Director Josh Ruben, along with screenwriters Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy, craftily concocts a sweetly sinister genre mashup, blending romantic comedy tropes with slasher movie fodder.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2025
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The typically magnetic Ramírez looms large, delivering a masterful turn as a well-heeled but enigmatically sinister figure who may or may not have his client’s best interest at heart.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Very strong winds will create hazardous conditions with blowing and drifting snow.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Past Incidents in the last 12 hours: Heavy rain prompts traffic warning on eastbound K-10 in Olathe A traffic advisory has been issued for hazardous driving conditions attributed to heavy rain on K-10 from South Woodland Street to Ridgeview Road.—
Kansas City Star Bot,
Kansas City Star,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As a Yang Earth sign, the Dog has the patience to take it one small step at a time, but quantum leaps are also possible!—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
-
California needs regulations that make this possible.—
TRACY YOCHUM,
Sacramento Bee,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Elsewhere, Oscorp defector Otto Octavius’ (Hugh Dancy) volatile Gamma-fusion designs are finding their way into the hands of some of the city’s most menacing criminals.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2025
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And yet, in front of Bulldog legend Marshawn Lynch and a capacity crowd at the program’s gymnasium in North Oakland, both dominated the skies as menacing shot-blockers in a 52-44 victory over Oakland on Friday night.—
Joseph Dycus,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
This procedure can be less risky than using implants, the clinic adds.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
-
This has created a climate where challenging him feels politically risky, leaving many of our local leaders — our heroes — silent, complicit or too fearful to act.—
Esteban Rodriguez,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near threaten
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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