threatening

/ˈθretnɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [θrˈɛtənɪŋ] /ˈθretnɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [θrˈɛtənɪŋ] /ˈthret-niŋ How to pronounce threatening (audio) ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ/ (ame, mw)

threatening — adjective

  • threateningpositive
  • more threateningcomparative
  • most threateningsuperlative

1. Describing words, actions, sounds, or looks that clearly communicate an intentio

1.形容詞B1
釋義

Describing words, actions, sounds, or looks that clearly communicate an intention to hurt, punish, or cause trouble for someone.

例句

When Rafael opened the envelope, a threatening letter fell onto his desk.

collocation: threatening letter

The threatening tone in the manager's email worried the whole team.

collocation: threatening tone

同義詞
  • menacing

    Very close in meaning; 'menacing' often emphasises the frightening quality, while 'threatening' focuses on the communicated intent to harm.

  • ominous

    Stronger focus on a sense of future danger; 'ominous' can describe both people and events, but is more about warning signs than direct threats.

  • intimidating

    Emphasises making someone feel afraid or less confident, not necessarily through an explicit threat.

反義詞
  • reassuring

    Calming someone's fears, the opposite of creating fear through threats.

  • friendly

    Kind and pleasant in manner, opposite of hostile or aggressive.

用法筆記

Often describes communication (letter, message, email, phone call), behaviour (gesture, look, stance, tone), or a situation (atmosphere, silence). The implied harm can be physical, verbal, or social.

常見錯誤

❌He gave me a threat letter.
✅He sent me a threatening letter.
💡Use the adjective 'threatening' before the noun, not the noun 'threat' as a modifier.
❌The dog gave a threat growl at the mailman.
✅The dog gave a threatening growl at the mailman.
💡Actions that express a threat use the '-ing' adjective form.

2. Used of the sky, clouds, wind, or general atmosphere that strongly suggests a st

2.形容詞B1
釋義

Used of the sky, clouds, wind, or general atmosphere that strongly suggests a storm, heavy rain, or other severe weather is about to begin.

例句

The threatening sky made Hana grab her umbrella before leaving for work.

collocation: threatening sky

Daniel cancelled his weekend hike after checking the threatening weather report.

collocation: threatening weather

同義詞
  • ominous

    More general; 'ominous' suggests a sense of coming danger in any context, while 'threatening' in this sense is specific to weather.

  • forbidding

    Focuses on an unfriendly, unwelcoming appearance; 'forbidding' is less specific to weather and more about landscape or atmosphere.

反義詞
  • clear

    Describes a sky without clouds, the opposite of a storm-threatening sky.

  • fair

    Refers to good, pleasant weather conditions, opposite of threatening weather.

用法筆記

Primarily describes visual or atmospheric signs of approaching bad weather. Frequently collocates with 'sky', 'clouds', 'weather', 'storm', 'wind'. Rarely used for non-weather natural events such as earthquakes.

常見錯誤

❌The weather looks threaten.
✅The weather looks threatening.
💡After linking verbs like 'look', 'seem', 'become', use the adjective 'threatening', not the base verb 'threaten'.
❌The sky is very threaten today.
✅The sky is very threatening today.
💡Again, use the adjective form; 'threaten' is a verb.