threaten

[ thret-n ]

verb (used with object)

1. to utter a threat against; menace:

   He threatened the boy with a beating.

2. to be a menace or source of danger to:

   Sickness threatened her peace of mind.

   Synonyms: endanger

   Antonyms: defend, protect

3. to offer (a punishment, injury, etc.) by way of a threat:

   They threatened swift retaliation.

4. to give an ominous indication of:

   The clouds threaten rain.

verb (used without object)

1. to utter or use threats.
2. to indicate impending evil or mischief.

threaten

/ ˈθrɛtən /

verb

1. tr to be a threat to
2. to be a menacing indication of (something); portend

   dark clouds threatened rain

3. when tr, may take a clause as object to express a threat to (a person or people)

Derived Forms

• ˈthreatener, noun
• ˈthreateningly, adverb
• ˈthreatening, adjective

Other Words From

• threaten·er noun
• outthreaten verb (used with object)
• pre·threaten verb (used with object)
• re·threaten verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of threaten¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English thretnen, Old English thrēatnian, derivative of thrēat “pressure, oppression”; equivalent to threat + -en ¹

Example Sentences

"Lukashenko is afraid right now to make any big moves and changes before his sham election - his self-reappointment. Just showing Maria doesn't threaten him, but he wants to show it as a big gesture of humanity - which it's not of course," Mr Viacorka believes.

From BBC

Having gleaned details of the women's lives from their conversations, sometimes lasting over a month, he would then threaten to share the sexual images he had with friends, family or work colleagues if they did not send him further, sometimes hardcore, pornographic videos and images.

From BBC

Forest are a team with good balance in that they set out not to concede but they also have players who can threaten on the counter.

From BBC

Raphaël Glucksmann, a leading French socialist in the European Parliament, said Trump’s return to the White House will threaten Europe’s alliance with the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

The Proud Boys, whose name hat-tips their arrested development, re-emerged to threaten poll workers with violence.

From Salon

Related Words

• imperil
• jeopardize
• warn