threatening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "threatening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or behavior that causes fear or apprehension in someone. Example: "His tone was threatening, making everyone in the room feel uneasy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

With the press threatening to cut up rough, Alastair Campbell staged a reconciliation between them for the cameras.

The Guardian - Opinion

I do not think those (immigrants) with life threatening diseases should be treated by NHS".

The Guardian

So why is Northern Ireland's political miracle threatening to unravel?

The Guardian

Authorities in Belarus are threatening to take into custody the three-year-old son of a journalist who has been under arrest since 19 December on what are regarded as trumped-up charges.

The Guardian

If they're allowed to turn toxic, painful stories from people's lives have the potential to become dangerous, by threatening to tip Uganda's decades-long cycle of violence into a new revolution.

The Guardian

He is not only threatening the safety of our people but he is also a terrible influence on our nation's youth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

White threatens to take on b5, winning another pawn and at the same time liberating knight and bishop, so Black's first move looks obvious: 1…b4, exploiting the pin on the long diagonal and threatening to capture on c3.

The Guardian - Sport

Although this guidance is about diagnosis, Nice states that, in many cases, asthma control is already inadequate, which could be life-threatening.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The children's emergency department is equipped to deal with everything from cuts and bruises to life-threatening trauma and illness.

The Guardian

Our synthesis of the best of the red and the green integrates policies for social justice and human rights with policies for tackling the life-threatening dangers posed by global warming, environmental pollution, resource depletion and species extinction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Headlines last week of the "key to a cure" were compelling reading for those who live in constant fear of a life-threatening reaction.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's behavior, ensure that "threatening" is used when there's a clear indication of intent to cause harm, either physically or emotionally.

Common error

Do not use "threatening" when "concerning" or "worrying" is more appropriate. "The news was concerning" is better than "The news was threatening" if there's no explicit danger.

Linguistic Context

The word "threatening" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that presents a danger or potential harm. Ludwig AI confirms it’s used to depict scenarios or actions that cause fear or apprehension, such as "threatening weather" or "threatening behavior".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Business

5%

Music

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "threatening" is a versatile term primarily used as an adjective to describe something that presents a danger or potential harm. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, especially in news and media. When using "threatening", ensure it accurately conveys a sense of impending danger rather than just general concern. Alternatives such as "menacing" or "intimidating" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid vague usage and focus on clearly indicating an imminent risk or danger to maintain clarity and impact in your writing. The most authoritative sources utilizing this word are "The Guardian", "The New York Times", "BBC", "The Washington Post" and "The Economist".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

menacing

Emphasizes a looming sense of danger or evil.

intimidating

Highlights the act of making someone feel afraid or discouraged.

alarming

Stresses the sudden realization of potential danger or harm.

ominous

Suggests a dark or unfavorable outcome is impending.

perilous

Focuses on the presence of great risk or danger.

hazardous

Emphasizes the presence of potential dangers or risks.

scary

A more informal term indicating something that causes fear.

dangerous

A general term indicating the possibility of harm or injury.

jeopardizing

Highlights the act of putting something at risk.

portending

Suggests something that warns of events to come.

FAQs

How can I use "threatening" in a sentence?

You can use "threatening" to describe something that presents a danger or risk, such as "The storm was threatening to flood the coast." or to describe behavior intended to intimidate someone.

What are some alternatives to using "threatening"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "menacing", "intimidating", or "alarming".

When is it more appropriate to use "intimidating" over "threatening"?

"Intimidating" is better suited when describing something that makes someone feel fearful or lacks confidence, while "threatening" implies a more direct and imminent danger.

What's the difference between "threatening" and "dangerous"?

"Dangerous" refers to something that is capable of causing harm, whereas "threatening" implies that the harm is likely to occur or is imminent. A "dangerous situation" may not be actively threatening, but a threatening situation is always dangerous.