threatening

adjective

threat·​en·​ing ˈthret-niŋ How to pronounce threatening (audio)
ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ
Synonyms of threateningnext
: expressing or suggesting a threat of harm, danger, etc.
received a threatening message
a threatening manner
: indicating or suggesting the approach of possible trouble or danger
saw threatening clouds on the horizon
threateningly
ˈthret-niŋ-lē, 
ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ- How to pronounce threatening (audio)
adverb
gestured threateningly

Synonyms of threatening

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Examples of threatening in a Sentence

economists warning of a threatening recession a threatening silence followed the loud thump in the adjoining motel room threatening rocks lined that narrow stretch of the river through which we would be rafting
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
At the fringes of the debate, the tone could sometimes be genuinely threatening. — Oscar Schwartz, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 There were two people injured and both were taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening. — Jose Fabian, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Haaland was mostly quiet against Ivory Coast, with Les Elephants doing a superb job of limiting his touches aside from two non-threatening headers in the first half. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026 In the context of law enforcement, is the perception of Black women as inherently aggressive, threatening, and invulnerable to pain. — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatening

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of threatening was in 1530

Phrases Containing threatening

Rhymes for threatening

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Browse Nearby Words

threatener
threatening
threatful
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Cite this Entry

“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threatening. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on threatening

Nglish: Translation of threatening for Spanish Speakers

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