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
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
The digital vitriol is so threatening that 34 percent of Jews who reported feeling physically threatened by antisemitism online have considered leaving the U.S. in the last year.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 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
The submissions also include joking, off-topic, threatening and even racist messages.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
The digital vitriol is so threatening that 34 percent of Jews who reported feeling physically threatened by antisemitism online have considered leaving the U.S. in the last year.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 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
-
In Japanese mythology, oarfish are viewed as harbingers of doom, signaling impending earthquakes.—
Amanda Holpuch,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Their answer depends on the details of his impending contract extension.—
Darnell Mayberry,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But by reciting the proposal again and again, Trump might be setting in motion very real—and extremely ominous—consequences for the West Bank and the entire region.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
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The historian Janis Mimura saw something more ominous: a new, proactive union of industry and governmental power, wherein the state would drive aggressive industrial policy at the expense of liberal norms.—
Kyle Chayka,
The New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Listeria is particularly dangerous for elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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Tale of the Tape Texas Tech is a dangerous squad from deep and the Red Raiders aren’t shy at taking 3-pointers, ranking No. 93 in 3-point rate.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Deepfakes first attracted attention for its use in making fake celebrity pornographic films, but their uses have subsequently evolved to more sinister reasons.—
Rohan Pinto,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Columbia Pictures When Bobbie also suddenly transforms, Joanna discovers that her best friend has been replaced by a robot—along with all the other wives—and realizes the sinister forces at work in Stepford are coming for her next.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Even as the cause of Mr. Grant’s death remains unknown, advocates of prison safety say that the strikes are creating hazardous conditions for inmates and warn that more deaths may occur if the labor dispute is not quickly resolved.—
Jay Root,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
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North Carolina is also experiencing hazardous winter conditions, with an advisory in effect until 10 a.m. EST Friday for areas including Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, and surrounding counties.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 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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The employee offered as much comfort as possible by petting his head and giving him love.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
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Lift one leg to the side, trying to keep your body as still as possible.—
Hilary Achauer,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Slimani is a hardened criminal made less menacing by Kateb’s faltering rhythms in English, the gang’s lingua franca.—
Ben Kenigsberg,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
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Others see something darker and more menacing for the country and its future.—
Chris Megerian,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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