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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of threatening
Tim McKeough, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Information continues to come to light showing that the attack, which killed five people and injured over 200 more, was the culmination of over a decade of the suspect making violent and threatening remarks.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Dec. 2024
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 firm introduced soft curves throughout the home with arched doorways and custom furniture with rounded edges — a stylistic touch that’s also less threatening than sharp corners for runaway children.
—Tim McKeough, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Information continues to come to light showing that the attack, which killed five people and injured over 200 more, was the culmination of over a decade of the suspect making violent and threatening remarks.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Dec. 2024
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
-
The timing suggests that an important factor was the impending return to the White House of Donald Trump.—
Kenneth Roth,
TIME,
15 Jan. 2025
-
With an impending ban of TikTok looming, many users of the popular video-sharing app are heading to alternative platforms.—
Peter Suciu,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Something ominous, if not entirely novel, is taking shape in Washington.—
David Remnick,
The New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2025
-
In the winter, the opening acts like a chimney for the warmer water below, giving the spring a steaming underworld look and its ominous name.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The National Weather Service warned that the winds could regain significant strength by Monday, with Tuesday predicted as the most dangerous day.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2025
-
These wild lands accumulate brush, and that brush is incredibly dangerous.—
Audrey Conklin,
Fox News,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Feathers tends to wear cutesy disguises, but comes across as a surprisingly sinister creature who is always observing.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
9 Jan. 2025
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Now the star and filmmaker are trading Wakanda and the boxing ring for an original vision: a Depression-era vampire movie about twin brothers (Jordan plays both) who return to their Deep South hometown, only to find something sinister waiting.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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After the Marshall Fire, hazardous gases associated with the wildfire smoke, such as benzene and naphthalene, could be detected in homes downwind of the fire long after the burns were put out.—
Alejandra Borunda,
NPR,
19 Jan. 2025
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Cold weather and hazardous travel conditions may lead to a smaller turnout for Trump's inauguration weekend.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 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
-
On January 5th, 1971, his wife, Geraldine, returned home from a holiday trip and found her husband slouched against their bed, dead of a possible heroin overdose (many also suspected foul play).—
Mikal Gilmore,
Rolling Stone,
17 Jan. 2025
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Sources familiar with the probe say SEC investigators are looking at what Ruiz’s company represented to investors about its value and other possible securities violations.—
Ben Wieder and,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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That inter-zone between the two is where Lynch lived his entire professional life: in his paintings and writings, shorts and TV shows, and even his daily online weather reports, which somehow took on both a boyish and a menacing quality.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
16 Jan. 2025
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Onlookers captured them interacting and throwing paper planes at one another, all under the watchful eye of the Tillman’s menacing Milchick.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near threatening
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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