threatening
UK: ˈθretnɪŋ | US: ˈθretnɪŋ
adj. expressing or suggesting a threat of harm or danger
adj. having a menacing quality or appearance
v. (present participle of "threaten") to state an intention to harm or take hostile action
The word "threatening" derives from the Old English þreatian ("to press, oppress, threaten"), which evolved into Middle English threten. The root threat originally meant "a crowd or multitude" (related to Old Norse þraut "struggle"), later shifting to imply coercion or danger. The suffix -ing forms the present participle, turning the verb "threaten" into an adjective describing the act of menacing. This progression reflects how societal perceptions of coercion transformed the word from literal pressure to implied harm.
The dark clouds looked threatening, so we hurried home.
He received a threatening letter demanding money.
Her tone became threatening when she mentioned the consequences.
The dog’s growl was low and threatening.
The politician made a threatening gesture during the debate.