threatening
adjective
threat·en·ing
ˈthret-niŋ 
ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ
: expressing or suggesting a threat of harm, danger, etc.
received a threatening message
a threatening manner
: indicating or suggesting the approach of possible trouble or danger
saw threatening clouds on the horizon
Examples of threatening in a Sentence
economists warning of a threatening recession
a threatening silence followed the loud thump in the adjoining motel room
threatening rocks lined that narrow stretch of the river through which we would be rafting
Recent Examples on the Web
Spain defender Dani Carvajal was shown his second of the game and ejected for halting a threatening charge by Jamal Musiala late in stoppage time.
—
Glynn A. Hill, Washington Post, 5 July 2024
Artists such as Lichtenstein and Warhol looked to advertisements to shine a light on the most shameless and threatening parts of our culture.
—Jenny Walton, Vogue, 29 June 2024
According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, workplace violence is any act or threat in the form of physical aggression, harassment, intimidation or threatening, disruptive behavior at a place of employment.
—Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 26 June 2024
Augustine was charged with third-degree assault, second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace in connection to an incident that happened on June 13, police said.
—Taylor Hartz, Hartford Courant, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for threatening 
Glynn A. Hill, Washington Post, 5 July 2024
Artists such as Lichtenstein and Warhol looked to advertisements to shine a light on the most shameless and threatening parts of our culture.
—Jenny Walton, Vogue, 29 June 2024
According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, workplace violence is any act or threat in the form of physical aggression, harassment, intimidation or threatening, disruptive behavior at a place of employment.
—Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 26 June 2024
Augustine was charged with third-degree assault, second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace in connection to an incident that happened on June 13, police said.
—Taylor Hartz, Hartford Courant, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for threatening
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'threatening.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near threatening
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threatening. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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