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threaten Definition

threaten (t̸hret′'n)

transitive verb

    1. to make threats against; express one's intention of hurting, punishing, etc.
    2. to express intention to inflict (punishment, reprisal, etc.)
    1. to indicate the likely occurrence of (something dangerous, unpleasant, etc.) clouds threatening snow
    2. to be a source of such danger, harm, etc. to an epidemic that threatens the city

Etymology: ME thretnen < OE threatnian

intransitive verb

  1. to make threats
  2. to be an indication or source of potential danger, harm, etc.

threaten Related Forms
threat′·ener noun threat′·en·ingly adverb
threaten Synonyms

threaten

v.

  1. To warn of punishment

    intimidate, menace, caution, admonish, hold over, scare, torment, push around, browbeat, forewarn, bully, terrorize, abuse, bluster, fulminate, look daggers, thunder against, bulldoze*, draw a gun on*, pull a gun on*, double the fist at*; see also frighten 1, abuse 1, warn.

    Antonyms help*, mollify*, placate. *

  2. To impend

    endanger, be dangerous, be gathering, be in the offing, imperil, be brewing, be on the horizon, approach, come on, advance; see also frighten 1, loom 2.

    Antonyms happen*, seize*, overcome.

threaten implies a warning of impending punishment, danger, evil, etc. as by words, actions, events, conditions, or signs 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

threaten Usage Examples

Subject

  • deforestation: Yet all this is threatened by deforestation to make room to grow soya beans.

Object

  • viability: Occlusive disease and the resulting ischemia threaten the viability of the lower limb, particularly in diabetics.
  • specie: These included 18 of the 24 globally threatened species known from Paraguay.
  • survival: By buying these items you may be threatening the survival of the local wildlife.
  • stability: She is the goddess who threatens stability and order.
  • existence: Threats to the site: Heavy poaching since 1996 threatens the existence of the free herd.
  • integrity: Only by artificial means, which threaten the integrity of the service, can a parasitic form of competition make inroads.

Preposition: with

  • extinction: Much of the world's wildlife is threatened with extinction, including one quarter of the mammal species.
  • homelessness: The Council has a duty to find accommodation for some people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
  • deportation: Gloria Mills of Unison stressed the importance of trade union support for members threatened with deportation.
  • eviction: The Battle of the Braes occurred when they were threatened with eviction and was reported in the press.
  • closure: This may require the occupation of plants threatened with rapid closure.
  • expulsion: While at Girton she was threatened with expulsion after she had another woman staying in her rooms.

Preposition: at

  • gunpoint: More than 70 operating outside the pool system were arrested, detained, threatened at gunpoint or chased from the front line.

Infinitive complement

  • sue: His former boss Frank Lynch has threaten to sue West Midlands Police over the issue.
  • overwhelm: Many of the crippling and fatal diseases globally are threatening to overwhelm third world countries.
  • undermine: She also said major implementation problems threatened to undermine the policy.
  • resign: What type of a company do you work for if you have to threaten to resign before they give you what you're worth?
  • destroy: It threatened to destroy the islands with a swish of its tail.
  • kill: Many codes of practice would support the breaking of confidentiality in the case where a client is threatening to kill somebody or themselves.
threaten Quotes

Did you threaten to overrule him?

—Pavlova, Anna