THREATENING Synonyms: 192 Similar and Opposite Words

threatening 1 of 2

adjective

ˈthret-niŋ

Definition of threatening

as in impending

giving signs of immediate occurrence economists warning of a threatening recession

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

threatening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of threaten

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

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.

Recent Examples of threatening

Adjective

Four other passengers, all minors, suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, Cobb County police said. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 The University of Detroit Mercy says classes on its McNichols campus will resume Wednesday after suspicious packages that prompted building evacuations on Tuesday were determined to be non-threatening. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

Sheriff’s officials said Mullennix had a gun and a history of threatening neighbors. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The two countries have been mired in deadlocked trade negotiations, have sparred over the US threatening sanctions over India’s purchase of oil from Russia, and are now at loggerheads over immigration. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatening

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening

Adjective

The seat The business class cabin is low-lit in blues and purples—a nice touch for the impending red eye—and the 30 seats are arranged in 7 rows of 1-2-1 configuration.

— Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Another impending free agent, the pitching guru oversaw one of baseball’s best rotations and that aforementioned surprisingly successful bullpen.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of impending

Adjective

As evening descends on Paris, there are ominous signs for what lies ahead tonight.

— Elina Baudier Kim, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Once storms roll through, things will change with temperatures falling for the afternoon, light rain and drizzle around, and cloudy ominous skies.

— Ron Smiley, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ominous

Adjective

Swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
Fresh to strong winds will produce dangerous boating conditions, high surf, life-threatening rip currents, and moderate beach erosion through at least the first half of the coming week, forecasters said.

— Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Verb

Carabello has two open cases, including one arrest for gun possession and another for menacing a man with a knife.

— Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026
The midterm elections are looming and the first hurricane of the Atlantic Season is menacing the Gulf Coast.

— Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of menacing

Adjective

The students who stepped forward when their teacher collapsed playing basketball in Michigan illustrate what becomes possible when CPR skills are taught before they are needed.

— Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
The film team had to come up with a strategy to capture as much as possible without interfering with Schnell’s challenge.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of possible

Adjective

Ultimately, the greatest impacts will be determined by the storm's track, but periods of heavy rain and wind, along coastal flooding, beach erosion, and hazardous surf are a concern, especially for the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Preliminary tests indicate the substance is not hazardous; the letters prompted evacuations and police responses, with no injuries reported in the California incidents described.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Verb

Zin is a Myanmar scholar who was detained in June and accused of endangering China’s national security.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The homeowner, who police say let her grandchild host the party at her home, was charged with violating the county's social host law and endangering the welfare of a child.

— Katie Houlis, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of endangering

Browse Nearby Words

threatened

threatening

threatens

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Style

“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of threatening

adjective

verb

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