adj

threatening

THREH-tuh-nihng

adj

Suggesting or carrying the risk of harm.

"Dark, threatening clouds gathered before the storm."

Expressing an intention to cause harm.

"He sent a series of threatening messages to his ex-partner."

How to Use Threatening

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGiving off a sense of danger, or openly expressing intent to harm.

Common pairings

threatening behavior threatening letter threatening skies

more threatening comparative, threatenings plural, most threatening superlative

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Dark, _____ clouds gathered before the storm.

From threaten plus -ing.

minacious menacing baleful threatensome threatful ominous

ominous evil auspicious menacing

evening opening widening awakening happening weakening deafening maddening listening gardening sickening fattening

minacious menacing baleful threatensome threatful ominous evil auspicious