threaten
verb (used with object)
to utter a threat against; menace.
had been threatening
-
past perfect progressiveof threaten.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said that an activist investor had been threatening to take over the board and fire him and other executives, and a sale seemed like the best exit strategy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2025
Employees had been threatening to strike until the company reached a tentative agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers union this week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2025
Midfielder Robert Andrich added another goal for Leverkusen in the 73rd with a long-range shot — just as Roma had been threatening on the other end.
From Seattle Times ● May 2, 2024
Naeem - who is known as "Iraqi Barbie" due to her many plastic surgery procedures - had been threatening to expose Fahad's alleged relationship with senior Iraqi officials, media reports say.
From BBC ● Apr. 26, 2024
The rain that had been threatening came, and after they ate lunch, the students pulled on rain gear to splash in puddles.
From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold
