threatening

[ thret-n-ing ]

/ ˈθrɛt n ɪŋ /

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See synonyms for: threatening / threateningly on Thesaurus.com

adjective

tending or intended to menace: threatening gestures.

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

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of threatening

First recorded in 1520–30; threaten + -ing²

threat·en·ing·ly, adverbnon·threat·en·ing, adjectivenon·threat·en·ing·ly, adverbun·threat·en·ing, adjective

un·threat·en·ing·ly, adverb

One of Arecibo’s final observations, at the end of July, was to take a closer look at one of the more threatening asteroids discovered this year.
The Arecibo Observatory collapsed this week. What now?|Charlie Wood|December 4, 2020|Popular-Science
Democrats nominated him precisely because they believed — correctly, as it turned out — that, of their many contenders, he would be the least threatening to the center and the right.
Tucker Carlson brings back the War on Christmas. Maybe that’s a good thing.|Paul Waldman|December 4, 2020|Washington Post
This is especially true in the middle of a frightening pandemic that is both medically and economically threatening.
How to keep your sadness from turning into depression|Jelena Kecmanovic|November 29, 2020|Washington Post
However, please know my family is off limits when it comes to hateful and threatening messages.
AFC South thrives and the Steelers stay unbeaten in NFL Week 11|Cindy Boren, Mark Maske, Des Bieler|November 23, 2020|Washington Post

None of the experts I spoke to thought it was a good idea to dismiss the risk of armed or threatening poll disruptors out of hand.
Fear Of Voter Intimidation Is Its Own Voter Intimidation|Maggie Koerth (maggie.koerth-baker@fivethirtyeight.com)|October 28, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Clip still had the club he had taken from the Mexican's companion, and he squared away threateningly.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
Gregory picked up an ax as he stepped back, and then stood confronting the boys threateningly.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
What they did not notice was that the sun had disappeared behind an ominous bank of clouds and the wind was rising threateningly.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle|Laura Lee Hope
Talpers advanced toward her threateningly, and she retreated toward the door which opened into the other room.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
Mrs. Lawton, unaccustomed to any remonstrance from her bondwoman, seized a switch and shook it threateningly.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 101, March, 1866|Various