threateningly
Threateningly is an adverb used to describe an action performed in a way that conveys threat or potential harm. It typically modifies verbs, often in reference to looks, gestures, or speech, as in “He glared at them threateningly” or “She spoke threateningly to the crowd.” The word implies intimidation or coercive intent without necessarily involving physical violence.
In writing, threateningly helps establish mood, tension, or character dynamics by signaling an aggressive or coercive
Threateningly is formed from the adjective threatening with the adverbial suffix -ly. The root is threaten,
Adverbs of manner; threat; intimidation; menace; language and tone in writing.
- The spy stared at the guards threateningly.
- He stood at the door, speaking threateningly about consequences.
In neutral narration, one might rephrase to avoid bias, such as “He warned them of consequences.”