How to pronounce threatening
Say it like THRET-uh-ning. Threatening has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (THRET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce threatening. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- THRET
- uh
- ning
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Threatening pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- THRETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of threatening
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: THRET-ih-ning.
What does threatening mean?
- threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments“a baleful look”“forbidding thunderclouds”
- darkened by clouds“a heavy sky”
Where does threatening come from?
From Middle English thretenyng, þreteninde, equivalent to threaten + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying threatening
How do you pronounce threatening?
Say THRET-uh-ning. The American pronunciation is /ˈθrɛtənɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈθrɛtɪnɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in threatening?
Threatening has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (THRET). Broken into parts: THRET · uh · ning.
Is threatening pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈθrɛtɪnɪŋ/ (THRET-ih-ning).