threatening

[thret-n-ing] / ˈθrɛt n ɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

menacing, ominous

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aggressive alarming cautionary dangerous dire sinister ugly

STRONG

bullying close impending looming lowering near overhanging portending scowling terrorizing warning

WEAK

apocalyptic at hand baleful baneful comminatory fateful forthcoming grim ill-boding imminent impendent inauspicious intimidatory loury lowery minacious minatory portentous unlucky unpropitious unsafe upcoming

Antonyms

STRONGEST

good kind nice safe

STRONG

away distant far remote

WEAK

pleasant

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.

The 10-year Treasury yield is now close to 4.7%, threatening higher borrowing costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Those assaults remind us not only of the power of satire, but also of how its targets can find the slice of comedians’ jokes threatening.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

Motherwell were fighting back, knocking the ball around, playing their incisive passes, stretching Celtic, threatening their lead.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

The fire has the potential to spread to 200 acres and is burning north, threatening structures, Chino Valley Fire reported shortly before 8 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

Which is why he did what he did when Bryce pushed things too far with Drake and seemed to be threatening her.

From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone

Vocabulary lists containing threatening

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