Meaning & Definition of word "Threatening"
to
Threatening
/ˈθrɛtənɪŋ/
noun:
- 1. a declaration of an intention to cause harm or evil.
- Example: She received a threatening letter that made her feel unsafe.
adjective:
- 1. having a menacing or ominous quality that suggests harm or danger.
- Example: The dark clouds in the sky looked threatening, signaling an impending storm.
- 2. expressing or indicating a desire to cause harm or danger.
- Example: His threatening tone made everyone in the room feel uneasy.
- 3. dangerous or likely to become violent.
- Example: The threatening behavior of the dog made the children back away cautiously.
Etymology
Middle English, from the verb 'threaten', combined with the suffix '-ing'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
threatening behavior:
actions that indicate an intention to cause harm
threatening skies:
clouds that suggest an approaching storm or bad weather
threatening outlook:
a situation that implies risks or dangers ahead
Related Words
threat:
a declaration of an intention to inflict harm
menace:
a person or thing that is likely to cause harm
intimidation:
the act of making someone feel afraid
Slang Meanings of threatening
Meaning: heavy vibes
Example Sentence: The way he stared at me was giving me some heavy vibes.
Meaning: bad juju
Example Sentence: That deal sounds like bad juju, better stay away.