threatening

American

[thret-n-ing] / ˈθrɛt n ɪŋ /

adjective

tending or intended to menace.

threatening gestures.
causing alarm, as by being imminent; ominous; sinister.

threatening clouds.

Synonym Usage

See imminent, ominous.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of threatening

First recorded in 1520–30; threaten + -ing ²

Explanation

Anything that's threatening is ominous, or scary on purpose. A bully's deep, threatening voice might frighten other children in the neighborhood. Threatening things are done in a way that expresses an intention to hurt someone. A threatening letter from your neighbor might warn of his plan to call the police if you play your music too loudly. Another neighbor angrily shaking a fist in the direction of your barking dog is threatening too. Unintentionally threatening things include looming storm clouds and terrifying waves crashing onto the beach after a hurricane.

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Vocabulary lists containing threatening

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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.

Both sides accused the other of violating the terms of the MOU, signed on June 17, with Iran threatening to withdraw completely from negotiations if the U.S. continued its attacks.

From Salon • Jul. 6, 2026

They were then taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2026

Already the pace and scope of Europe’s increases are threatening to outstrip defense contractors’ ability to keep up with demand for sophisticated armaments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 5, 2026

A brutal heatwave hit peak temperatures across the eastern United States on Friday, straining power grids, threatening World Cup matches and playing havoc with celebrations for America's 250th independence anniversary.

From Barron's • Jul. 3, 2026

I drift off, and a wave of thoughts hits me, threatening to pull me into the undertow and drown me.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023