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
He was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
—
Nick Lentz, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
Their home was spray-painted with a threatening message and their phone numbers were leaked to scammers after the release of the information, the lawsuit said.
—Idaho Statesman, 27 Dec. 2025
Police said that their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
—Fox19, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Dec. 2025
The wounded man was treated at a hospital for a non-life threatening wound, CMPD said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
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Nick Lentz, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
Their home was spray-painted with a threatening message and their phone numbers were leaked to scammers after the release of the information, the lawsuit said.
—Idaho Statesman, 27 Dec. 2025
Police said that their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
—Fox19, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Dec. 2025
The wounded man was treated at a hospital for a non-life threatening wound, CMPD said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threatening. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
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