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 teen was taken to a hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, investigators said.
—
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
He was transported from the scene by Niles emergency responders to Lutheran General Hospital, in Park Ridge, with injuries described as life-threatening.
—Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The 49ers said on Monday that White had successfully undergone surgery and his injury is not considered to be career-threatening.
—David Matthews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
About 25 others were being assessed for injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, authorities said.
—Aleem Agha, ABC News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
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Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
He was transported from the scene by Niles emergency responders to Lutheran General Hospital, in Park Ridge, with injuries described as life-threatening.
—Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The 49ers said on Monday that White had successfully undergone surgery and his injury is not considered to be career-threatening.
—David Matthews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
About 25 others were being assessed for injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, authorities said.
—Aleem Agha, ABC News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threatening. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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