threatening

American  

[thret-n-ing] / ˈθrɛt n ɪŋ /

adjective

1. tending or intended to menace.

   threatening gestures.

2. causing alarm, as by being imminent; ominous; sinister.

   threatening clouds.

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Related Words

See imminent, ominous.

Other Word Forms

• nonthreatening adjective
• nonthreateningly adverb
• threateningly adverb
• unthreatening adjective
• unthreateningly adverb

Etymology

Origin of threatening

First recorded in 1520–30; threaten + -ing ²

Example Sentences

The shortage is also threatening the production of everything from semiconductors to military drone components and space rockets.

From The Wall Street Journal

But as applied to Ms. Chiles, it functions as a state control of what she may say, threatening therapists “with fines, probation, and the loss of their licenses simply for expressing a particular view.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Several companies face the loss of patent protection on top-selling medicines in the next several years, threatening the loss of tens of billions of dollars in sales apiece.

From The Wall Street Journal

The shortage is straining a market where supplies can’t be switched on quickly, threatening to hamper production of everything from semiconductors to military-drone components and space rockets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fighting the hurt that’s threatening to spill out of my eyes, I stand taller, gather back some of the power they’re trying to take from me.

From Literature

Related Words

• aggressive
• alarming
• cautionary
• dangerous
• dire
• sinister
• ugly