threaten

verb
thrĕt′n̩

To make a threat against someone; to use threats.

Other meanings

To menace, or be dangerous.
“The rocks threatened the ship's survival.”
To portend, or give a warning of.
“The black clouds threatened heavy rain.”

Synonyms

endanger

Related words

outthreaten
rethreaten
threatenable
threatener
forethreaten
threatening
threatensome

Example sentences

“Rebellious teenagers often threaten to run away from home.”
Tatoeba · ddnktr · CC0
“The world is full of bipolar people who don't threaten vulnerable minorities.”
Tatoeba · shekitten · CC0

Word history

From Old English "þrēatnian" (to urge, force, compel).

Where this comes from

This definition is adapted from “threaten” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; example sentences are from Tatoeba, credited to their authors above; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.