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

Another person was also hit, and hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries, police said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026 The second victim, 19-year-old freshman defensive back Kensley Macean, sustained injuries to the head and neck area and the left arm, but the injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening, police said. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

Verb

Sea-level rise is one of the most visible signs of climate change, one that is threatening low-lying coastal communities around the world. — Robert Kopp, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026 The game, and thus the feature, centers on an elite unit of soldiers known as Helldivers who must battle alien creatures threatening to destroy the fictional planet of Super Earth. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatening

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening

Adjective

Aubrey Layne, Sentara’s chief administrative officer, said lower payment rates from government programs — and impending cuts to Medicaid — are forcing the hospital to play hardball with the insurers that are representing employers.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
The film is a satire about an impending climate change apocalypse that’s triggered by the drilling operations of oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, played by Cruise, who looks nearly unrecognizable clad in prosthetics and graying hair.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of impending

Adjective

Hong Kong — Days before Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi was killed, her father-in-law and brother-in-law allegedly went on an ominous shopping spree.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
And Jeremy is the handsome cipher, the seemingly long-suffering dreamboat of a husband who may or may not be harboring more ominous intentions.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of ominous

Adjective

Meanwhile, the financial clout of the industry has grown considerably, resulting in a new, more dangerous problem.

— Kent Sepkowitz, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Attempting to de-escalate the scare, Rospotrebnadzor declared the regional sanitary situation stable after secondary testing showed no traces of dangerous pathogens linked to Shipilova’s research.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

The South's joint chiefs said Saturday the military stepped up surveillance and vigilance for possible further launches from the North and was closely sharing information with the United States and Japan.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
As Yemen returns to a level of fighting intensity not seen since the 2022 truce, the civil war has entered a decisive phase, with several possible avenues forward.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of possible

Adjective

Swift appears as a spectral figure trying to warn Johnson that, based on her own experience, her rich husband has more sinister intentions than his current bride imagines.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
And with its peaks and sharp angles, the home could morph from architectural wonder in the daylight to something more sinister in the shadows of the night.

— Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of sinister

Adjective

Ensure heat is working so tenants don’t need space heaters, which can be particularly hazardous in buildings with older electrical systems.

— Lillian Bonsignore, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
The action comes as Livingston locals raised concerns about the film’s impact on local business — and notably the city’s sole food bank — as well as improper notification about hazardous stunts.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Verb

Prosecutors also charged him with endangering their youngest child after deputies responded to the family’s home to talk with him and found their 2-year-old had been left home alone, according to court documents.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2026
The court accepted his plea and found Williams guilty of two counts of aggravated endangering a child, according to a news release from the office of the Leavenworth County Attorney.

— Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of threatening

adjective

verb

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