threaten

verb

UK /ˈθret(ə)n/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	threaten
he/she/it	threatens
present participle	threatening
past tense	threatened
past participle	threatened

1
transitive to tell someone that you might or you will cause them harm, especially in order to make them do something
He’s been threatening me for months.
threaten to do something:
The terrorists are threatening to kill the hostages.
threaten someone with something:
One man has been threatened with legal action.
threaten someone’s life (=say that you will kill them):
My life has been threatened on several occasions.
Synonyms and related words
To threaten
threaten
menace
show your teeth
Synonyms and related words
To nag or force someone to do something
nag
force
compel
1. 1a
  to say that you might or you will do something bad or harmful, especially in order to make someone do something
  NATO has threatened air strikes against the capital.
  Synonyms and related words
  To threaten
  threaten
  menace
  show your teeth
  Synonyms and related words
  To nag or force someone to do something
  nag
  force
  compel
2
transitive to be likely to harm or destroy something
the cancer that now threatens his life
Their actions threaten the stability and security of the region.
Many workers feel that their jobs are threatened.
threaten to do something:
Nuclear testing threatens to destroy our environment.
Synonyms and related words
To cause problems for someone or something
let down
hold back
embarrass
3
intransitive if something bad or unpleasant threatens, it is likely to happen or to affect you
Rain was threatening, and it had turned cold.
The wildebeest return to the herd when danger threatens.
Synonyms and related words
To be certain or likely to happen
await
threaten
be heading/headed for something

phrases

be threatened with something

threaten someone with a knife/gun etc

threaten to do something

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threaten

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