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

Police classified the call as urgent (priority 3) but not life-threatening. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 Forty-four other people suffered life-threatening or serious injuries, authorities have said. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Verb

The judge in question oversaw the 73-year-old's 2018 trial, where he was found guilty of threatening to murder a different federal judge. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 8 Aug. 2026 Life threatening flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses continues. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatening

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening

Adjective

Scientists would also expect an impending volcanic eruption to produce warning signs.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Local fisherman Wyck Crawford, played by a delightfully rascally Stephen Root, serves as Loftis’ human antagonist, warning the mayor of impending doom.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of impending

Adjective

That ominous focus runs beneath the trailer, beneath the guns, frantic confrontations, cars, and glimpses of a family suddenly forced to look over its shoulder.

— Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 10 Aug. 2026
While the socialist threat is most ominous in the Democratic party, Republicans are doing themselves no good in this ideological battle by having the federal government take equity positions in private companies.

— Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of ominous

Adjective

Mangione's lawyers and federal prosecutors in Manhattan also discussed a possible guilty plea in his federal case in June, sources previously told ABC News.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
With an address right in the heart of Paris, this place is ideal for first-timers who want to see as much as possible, or art lovers who are in town specifically to see the Louvre.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of possible

Adjective

When his girlfriend, Nicki (Debbie Harry), disappears at an audition for the show, he is drawn even deeper into its sinister world.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026
Jordan Roth plays Bentley’s somewhat sinister, sometimes helpful right hand kitted out post-glam Bowie style.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of sinister

Adjective

Fires are often started illegally by plantation owners or traditional farmers to clear land for planting, and those burns periodically blanket parts of Southeast Asia in hazardous haze.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Marylanders are no stranger to environmental injustice; communities of color and low-income areas are disproportionately impacted by proximity to hazardous facilities.

— Adrianne Fantasia, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Verb

Tracey was arrested days after the incident and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, harassment and obstruction.

— Adam Sabes , Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Januchowski pleaded not guilty July 14 to three misdemeanor counts each of first-degree assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, court records state.

— Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 6 Aug. 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 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of threatening

adjective

verb

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