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
The second half was more of the same, although Orlando City looked more threatening than Cruz Azul.
—
Kyle Foley, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2024
This financial savvy, inspired by earlier generations of organizers, is what made the campaign so effective, and so threatening.
—Sunaura Taylor, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024
The most threatening species Of all the sharks swimming in the Gulf, bull sharks, experts and biologists said, are among the most threatening.
—Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2024
As hurricanes go, this is not the most threatening storm the Sunshine State has seen in recent years.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 4 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for threatening 
Kyle Foley, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2024
This financial savvy, inspired by earlier generations of organizers, is what made the campaign so effective, and so threatening.
—Sunaura Taylor, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024
The most threatening species Of all the sharks swimming in the Gulf, bull sharks, experts and biologists said, are among the most threatening.
—Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2024
As hurricanes go, this is not the most threatening storm the Sunshine State has seen in recent years.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 4 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2024.
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