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 EU and China are holding trade talks, with Brussels threatening to hit back with new protective measures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026

But now their homeowners association is threatening them with a $100 fine, arguing the display of Old Glory flies in the face of community rules.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

This is threatening to become a World Cup of shocks, with Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil only edging past Japan thanks to Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time winner.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026

Rather, he yelled at them in a private meeting, complaining that by threatening to stop the war, they were wrecking his bargaining power in the ongoing peace talks.

From Slate • Jun. 29, 2026

Just as the party was setting out, Amy called over the banisters in a threatening tone, “You’ll be sorry for this, Jo March, see if you ain’t.”

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Vocabulary lists containing threatening

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