threatening

/'θretniɳ/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
threatening

A dark, threatening sky looms over the small farmhouse.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Expressing an intention to cause harm, pain, or trouble: Describing words, actions, or behavior that warn of impending danger, punishment, or negative consequences.
    • Having a menacing or ominous quality: Describing something that suggests something bad, harmful, or dangerous is about to happen, often creating a feeling of fear or unease.
Usage
  • The adjective "threatening" is used to describe a person, their behavior, their tone of voice, or a situation that seems likely to cause harm or trouble.
  • It can be used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like 'be', 'seem', 'become').
  • Common collocations include: , , , , .
Examples

  • Attributive use (before a noun):

    • He received a threatening phone call.
    • The threatening sky warned of an approaching storm.
    • The government condemned the threatening rhetoric.

  • Predicative use (after a linking verb):

    • His tone became threatening.
    • The situation is looking increasingly threatening.
    • The dog's growl sounded threatening.
Advanced Usage
  • "to be threatening to (do something)": To be likely to cause harm or have a negative impact on something.
    • The rising sea levels are threatening to inundate coastal cities.
  • "under threat of" / "under threatening circumstances": In a situation where harm is likely.
    • They were forced to comply under threat of violence.
Variants and Related Words
  • Threaten (verb): To state an intention to harm or to seem likely to cause harm.
    • The dictator threatened to invade.
    • Dark clouds threatened rain.
  • Threat (noun): A statement or sign of an intention to cause harm, or a person or thing likely to cause damage.
    • He made a direct threat.
    • Pollution is a major threat to wildlife.
  • Threateningly (adverb): In a manner that expresses a threat.
    • He moved threateningly closer.
Synonyms
  • Menacing: Suggesting the presence of danger.
  • Ominous: Giving the impression that something bad is going to happen.
  • Sinister: Seeming evil or dangerous.
  • Intimidating: Frightening in a way that makes someone feel less confident.
Antonyms
  • Reassuring: Serving to relieve anxiety.
  • Friendly: Kind and pleasant.
  • Benign: Gentle and kindly; not harmful.
Related Phrases and Idioms
  • An empty threat: A threat that the speaker does not intend to carry out.
    • His promise to quit was just an empty threat.
  • A veiled threat: A threat that is not directly stated but is implied.
    • Her comment about "unfortunate consequences" was a veiled threat.
threatening

A dark, threatening sky looms over the small farmhouse.

Adjective
  1. darkened by clouds
    • a heavy sky
  2. threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
    • a baleful look
    • forbidding thunderclouds
    • his tone became menacing
    • ominous rumblings of discontent
    • sinister storm clouds
    • a sinister smile
    • his threatening behavior
    • ugly black clouds
    • the situation became ugly

Từ đồng nghĩa

Từ tương tự

Từ chứa "threatening"

Từ có nhắc đến "threatening"