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.

Newspapers, magazines, radio, television, podcasts - all wanting a piece of the underdog threatening world football's greatest duopoly.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

The videos, which surfaced in October, showed Porter yelling at a staff member and threatening to walk out of a television reporter’s interview.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

That’s why Gorsuch’s remarks felt so threatening to these figures.

From Salon • May 11, 2026

“The oldest rule of financial accounting is nobody hides good news so that makes me think that whatever’s there is probably bigger and more threatening than it first appears.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

I can feel the tears threatening to come out.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Vocabulary lists containing threatening

myPerspectives 7.2

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

List 6

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

List 2

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!