1
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence
economists warning of a threatening recession
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2025
Measles is highly contagious and is most threatening to unvaccinated individuals, Fox News' senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel previously told Fox News Digital.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 14 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 threatening
Adjective
Sidoti faces charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree burglary, second-degree breach of peace, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, second-degree threatening and first-degree reckless endangerment.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2025
Measles is highly contagious and is most threatening to unvaccinated individuals, Fox News' senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel previously told Fox News Digital.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 14 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 threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
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That’s why Jun-no’s former employer, Sanin Corporation, enlists him to deal with the company’s impending financial crisis.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The country had an opportunity for that course correction in 2012, when Mitt Romney and Ryan warned of the impending crisis.—
Jay Cost,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Living in this area means constantly being on high alert when the weather turns ominous.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Many of the surf zone fatalities occur when distant hurricanes send swells to shore that create dangerous conditions at the coast, such as strong surf and rip currents, the hurricane center stated.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2025
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That means the garden isn't dangerous for Cummings' elderly father, who is allergic to bees.—
Martha Ann Overland,
NPR,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The supernatural thriller is set in the Jim Crow South, where twin brothers—each played by Jordan—return home from Chicago with hopes of starting over, only to confront a sinister force that’s been waiting for them.—
Essence,
Essence,
2 Apr. 2025
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The banal village tunes that Mahler altered into sinister mock vulgarities—did these not recall the raffish klezmer bands, the wandering musicians who played at shtetl weddings?—
David Denby,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This may result in slick and hazardous driving conditions.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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However, a small portion of them, known as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs), do require closer observation.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 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
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Russian troops often carve that backs off their assault cars’ cabs in order to facilitate a quick exit, so there was nothing but a possible thin screen to stop an FPV that barreled toward the anti-tank mine resting in the back of one idling Lada.—
David Axe,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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Citing the sheriff's office, WESH reported that deputies initially responded to a report of a possible shooting at the couple's home in Orlo Vista, just west of Orlando, at around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The rapper’s latest includes wistful trap anthems ruminating on his trials and tribulations, as well as menacing drill tracks and more melodic songs tapping into his romantic side to cater to his female fan base — all of which were run by Durk’s legal team before heading to streaming services.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
28 Mar. 2025
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Bell, a Ritchie regular, offers an uncouth but equally menacing counterpoint to Brosnan, a mobster who isn’t pretending that he’s crawled out of the muck.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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