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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of threaten
Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on X, formerly Twitter, that all relevant forces in southern Lebanon and the monitoring committee and army overseeing the November truce should work to stop violations that could threaten his country.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
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 threaten
Verb
After parents were threatened with firings and evictions, 200 pupils withdrew.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on X, formerly Twitter, that all relevant forces in southern Lebanon and the monitoring committee and army overseeing the November truce should work to stop violations that could threaten his country.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
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 threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Adjective
-
Should near-retirees worry about an impending recession?—
Chris Carosa,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Growth Reports of weaker consumer confidence also spell trouble for the U.S. economy ahead, a worry that will have investors scouring economic data for signs of an impending recession.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
The ominous outlook sent FedEx shares down nearly 10 percent in Friday morning trading.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
When powered on, the TV reveals four children apparently trapped inside and held captive by sinister forces.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The new Rhino release amplifies the darkness, letting every sinister detail seethe to the surface.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Earlier this month, Guatemala's National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology reported a major uptick in eruptions, prompting the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala to issue a warning on March 11 about hazardous conditions.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
-
However, no hazardous weather is expected this weekend through midweek.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Longer-term, a statue for Howe and a physical commemoration for Guimaraes, the captain, among others, could follow, with Freemen of Newcastle-upon-Tyne status also possible for some of the main protagonists.—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
18 Mar. 2025
-
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
-
Dozens of Musk fans targeted Costa with menacing direct messages, social media posts and emails.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Risk for People With Sleep Apnea Mouth taping can be risky for people with sleep apnea.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Boeing's troubles continued for much of 2024, as its Starliner spacecraft was deemed too risky to carry astronauts home from the International Space Station.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share