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
-
With the end of Q1 fast approaching, the impending start of Q2 offers an ideal time for a business to stop, assess current progress and strategize about next steps.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
-
After spending months finding ways to make every detail of their three-destination trip special, everything was almost derailed when an impending passport expiration nearly halted his ability to leave the country.—
Megan Pinckney Rutherford,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
And maybe keep them away from a dangerous young Pistons team in the first round.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Freezing temperatures can endanger health, particularly of vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, whilst snow can lead to dangerous driving conditions.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Orange County Register,
7 Mar. 2025
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The salad bar did not have time labels for potentially hazardous foods kept out of temperature control.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
He has been floated as a possible presidential candidate in 2028.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC News,
7 Mar. 2025
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The mayors, including Johnson, responded that their police officers have enough to do to keep their city’s streets as safe as possible without getting involved in immigration enforcement, which is indisputably a federal responsibility.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Prosecutors, witnesses and judges who were part of Jan. 6 criminal cases were subjected to frequent harassment, menacing and threats, according to testimony and statements made during criminal proceedings in the riot cases.—
Scott MacFarlane,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2025
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Van and Tai cut menacing figures in the wilderness storyline as well.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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