threatening
adjective
threat·en·ing
| \ ˈthret-niŋ
, ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ\
, ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ\
Definition of threatening
: 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
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Other Words from threatening
threateningly
\ ˈthret-niŋ-lē
, ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ- \
adverb
, ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ- \
adverb
gestured threateningly
Synonyms for threatening
Synonyms
imminent, impending, looming, pending
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Examples of threatening in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Additionally, the report states that nearly all shooters exhibited concerning behavioral changes, and more than half made threatening or concerning communications prior to carrying out their attacks. — Erica H. Macdonald, Twin Cities, "Erica H. MacDonald: Here’s how the government is working to prevent acts of mass violence. And we need your help.," 1 Sep. 2019 Watch yourself: Be careful, but in a threatening kind of way. — Ruth Kinane, EW.com, "5 reasons you should stop everything and watch Derry Girls on Netflix right now," 20 Aug. 2019 That, in part, is what makes Hong Kong’s status as a quasi-democracy so unique in China — and so threatening to Beijing. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "How China used Facebook and Twitter to spread disinformation about the Hong Kong protests," 20 Aug. 2019 Thieves typically use phone calls or emails that sound or look official, and that can sound threatening. — Fortune, "What the IRS Wants You to Know About Tax Scams," 12 Aug. 2019 Law enforcement’s ability to act is based mainly on whether or not an individual has engaged in criminally threatening behavior. — Nr Staff, National Review, "The Editors Podcast: More Mass Shootings Shake the Nation," 9 Aug. 2019 And there is nothing more threatening or disgusting than confronting mortality. — Emily Dreyfuss, WIRED, "In Defense of Mayonnaise," 4 July 2019 Ana was something that made us -- made me -- less threatening. — John Norris, Billboard, "Jake Shears on LGBTQ Acceptance in Music, Homophobia in the Industry and How Pop Is Changing," 12 Aug. 2019 Yet the new move that Iran vowed to take — to increase enrichment levels beyond the 3.67 percent purity that is the ceiling under the deal — is the most threatening. — David E. Sanger, BostonGlobe.com, "Iran announces new breach of nuclear deal," 7 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'threatening.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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