Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense threatens, present participle threatening, past tense, past participle threatened
1. verb
If a person threatensto do something unpleasant to you, or if they threaten you, they say or imply that they will do something unpleasant to you, especially if you do not do what they want.
He said army officers had threatened to destroy the town. [VERB to-infinitive]
He tied her up and threatened her with a six-inch knife. [VERB noun + with]
If you threaten me or use any force, I shall inform the police. [VERB noun]
[Also VERB that]
Synonyms: intimidate, bully, menace, terrorize More Synonyms of threaten
2. verb
If something or someone threatens a person or thing, they are likely to harm that person or thing.
The newcomers directly threaten the livelihood of the established workers. [VERB noun]
The unity of our society is threatened by troublesome and restless minorities. [VERB noun]
30 percent of reptiles, birds, and fish are currently threatened with extinction. [beVERB-ed + with]
Synonyms: endanger, jeopardize, put at risk, imperil More Synonyms of threaten
3. verb
If something unpleasant threatensto happen, it seems likely to happen.
The fighting is threatening to turn into full-scale war. [VERB to-infinitive]
Plants must be covered with a leaf-mould or similarly protected if frost threatens. [VERB]
Synonyms: be imminent, hang over, be in the air, loom More Synonyms of threaten
4. See also threatened, threatening
threaten in British English
(ˈθrɛtən)
verb
1. (transitive)
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
threatener (ˈthreatener)
noun
threatening (ˈthreatening)
adjective
threateningly (ˈthreateningly)
adverb
threaten in American English
(ˈθrɛtən)
verb transitive
1.
a.
to make threats against; express one's intention of hurting, punishing, etc.
b.
to express intention to inflict (punishment, reprisal, etc.)
2.
a.
to indicate the likely occurrence of (something dangerous, unpleasant, etc.)
clouds threatening snow
b.
to be a source of such danger, harm, etc. to
an epidemic that threatens the city
verb intransitive
3.
to make threats
4.
to be an indication or source of potential danger, harm, etc.
SYNONYMY NOTE: threaten implies a warning of impending punishment, danger, evil, etc. by words, actions,events, conditions, signs, etc. [he threatened to retaliate, the clouds threaten rain]; menace stresses the frightening or hostile character of that which threatens [he menaced me with a revolver]
Derived forms
threatener (ˈthreatener)
noun
threateningly (ˈthreateningly)
adverb
Word origin
ME thretnen < OE threatnian
Examples of 'threaten' in a sentence
threaten
Foley was perfectly still; he tried not to threaten the solitude that she seemed to be seeking.
McCorquodale, Robin DANSVILLE (2002)
Maybe you can threaten her or appeal to her sense of guilt or something.
Stuart Harrison LOST SUMMER (2002)
As if whatever lurks in your dreams - in your visions - might take tangible form and threaten you.
Harris, Elizabeth TIME OF THE WOLF (2002)
As long as Russia doesn't threaten the United States and our allies, I see no need to commit any forces up front.
Brown, Dale CHAINS OF COMMAND (2002)
In other languages
threaten
British English: threaten /ˈθrɛtn/ VERB
If someone threatens to do something unpleasant to you, or if they threaten you, they say that they will do something unpleasant to you, especially if you do not do what they want.