threatening — having a hostile character; menacing; expressing or suggesting a threat of harm or violence
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: having a hostile character; menacing; expressing or suggesting a threat of harm or violence
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈθretnɪŋ/
Example Sentences
- My cat gives me threatening looks when I'm late with dinner.
- The teacher's threatening glare made the noisy students quiet down immediately.
- Even my grandmother's threatening to unfriend me on Facebook if I don't visit more often.
threatening
ADJECTIVE[/ˈθretnɪŋ/]
having a hostile character; menacing; expressing or suggesting a threat of harm or violence
He doesn't move — but everything about him feels threatening.
Threatening skies gathering — but she keeps weathering the storm.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old English 'thrēatian' meaning 'to press, push, or threaten,' derived from Proto-Germanic roots meaning 'to thrust or compel.' The word evolved to describe the act of expressing threats or creating a menacing atmosphere.
Breakdown
threaten (verb: to make threats) + -ing (present participle suffix indicating an ongoing action or quality) = threatening
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat gives me threatening looks when I'm late with dinner.”
“The teacher's threatening glare made the noisy students quiet down immediately.”
“Even my grandmother's threatening to unfriend me on Facebook if I don't visit more often.”
“The threatening storm forced us to cancel the outdoor concert.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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