Synonyms

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.

Related Words

See imminent, ominous.

Other Word Forms

nonthreatening adjective
nonthreateningly adverb
threateningly adverb
unthreatening adjective
unthreateningly adverb

Etymology

Origin of threatening

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

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.

This suggests astrocytes help not only create fear memories but also guide how the brain uses those memories to choose appropriate reactions in threatening situations.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

At the rate things are heating up on Earth, threatening to fry us alive sooner than later, this scheme could supposedly reverse or slow the damage we’ve done.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Sal stews morosely amid bursts of threatening belligerence that Sonny tries to tamp down.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Producers say the resulting fall in the livestock population and milk production is threatening feta, one of Greece's premier exports.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Every so often, her stomach twisted, threatening revolt.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

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