near threatened

American  

[neer thret-nd] / ˈnɪər ˈθrɛt nd /

adjective

Biology, Ecology.

1. (of a plant or animal species) inclined to be threatened with extinction but not yet qualified as vulnerable, which is the entry level of the three categories of threatened species, as categorized by the IUCN Red List: near threatened species are regularly reevaluated, as an amended classification up to the level of vulnerable is always a possibility: NT

   The list of near threatened orthopterous insects includes several cave crickets and swallowtail butterflies.

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Etymology

Origin of near threatened

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

near threatened

The international group classifies the cat as having a "near threatened" conservation status.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

In 2024, the International Union for Conservation of Nature reclassified the species as "near threatened."

From Science Daily ● Mar. 12, 2026

In West Africa, five more bird species were found to be near threatened in addition to one more in Central America.

From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2025

Three Antarctic penguin species — emperor penguins, southern rockhopper penguins and macaroni penguins — are listed as vulnerable or near threatened.

From New York Times ● Jan. 30, 2024

So many saiga, in fact, that the International Union for Conservation of Nature is upgrading the Red List status for the species from critically endangered to near threatened.

From National Geographic ● Dec. 14, 2023