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)

Other Word Forms

• threatener noun
• outthreaten verb (used with object)
• prethreaten verb (used with object)
• rethreaten verb
• threateningly adverb
• threatening adjective

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

“The cancellation of this award threatens the future promise of hydrogen energy, leaving us behind the rest of the world,” the senators said.

From Los Angeles Times

When passengers pushed harder - asking about refunds, and talking to the media about the case - they were threatened with legal action.

From BBC

While a host of intriguing news smells ranging from fallen logs and hidden foxes delight Indy’s nose, he also senses something strange and malevolent in the house that threatens to take over Todd.

From Salon

The bill being vague and founded on the “made-up criteria” of the senators who authored it threatens the health and lives of far more people than those who elect to terminate their pregnancies, she said.

From Salon

In her view, the consequences can be life threatening.

From BBC

Related Words

• intimidate 
• menace 
• scare 

When To Use

What does threaten mean?

To threaten someone is to indicate that you will cause harm to or create some other kind of negative consequences for them, especially to pressure them to do something or not to do something.This kind of statement is called a threat. Threatening someone often involves a promise to physically harm them in retaliation for what they have done or might do. A bank robber might threaten a bank teller by telling them he’ll shoot them if they don’t hand over the money. Some threats are simply meant to intimidate, and don’t involve pressuring someone to do something. A bully might threaten to punch you for no good reason.Not all threats involve violence. You can threaten someone with a lawsuit.The word threat can also refer to someone or something that may potentially cause harm or damage, and threaten can mean to be a source of potential harm or damage. A disease threatens your health. A security threat is someone or something that threatens to make a situation unsafe.Threat can also mean a warning or sign that harm or trouble is coming, and threaten can mean to indicate potential harm or trouble, as in It is threatening to storm out there. The adjective threatening is used to describe someone or something that causes alarm, intimidates, or is intended to intimidate, as in You look very threatening in that costume. The adjective threatened means in danger, as in I felt threatened or We need to protect threatened species. Example: The rowdy students immediately started to behave after the teacher threatened to call their parents.