threaten
verb (used with object)
to utter a threat against; menace.
were threatening
-
past progressiveof threaten.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I had already given myself the thing they were threatening to withhold.
From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2026
More were threatening to leave the agency, according to people familiar with the situation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 21, 2026
Going into 2025, the consensus was despite billions of dollars being spent by US tech firms, Chinese companies were threatening to pull ahead.
From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2026
The defendants present at the hearing, including a student, a father and carer, admitted to sending messages but denied they were threatening or constituted harassment.
From Barron's ● Nov. 21, 2025
I wanted to be anywhere but here, but they were threatening Mo's and I wasn't going to let that happen, not now, not ever.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
