threaten

[ˈθret(ə)n]

threaten Definition

• 1. to tell someone that you will harm or punish them if they do not do what you want
• 2. to be likely to harm or damage something or someone

Using threaten: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "threaten" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  He threatened to fire her if she didn't finish the project on time.

• Example

  The storm threatens to damage the crops.

• Example

  The new policy threatens to undermine the company's reputation.

threaten Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for threaten

• intimidate
• menace
• coerce
• bully
• blackmail

Antonyms for threaten

• reassure
• encourage

Phrases with threaten

• empty threat

  a threat that is not carried out

  Example

  She made an empty threat to call the police.

• pose a threat

  to be a potential danger or risk

  Example

  The new virus poses a serious threat to public health.

• carry out a threat

  to do what one has promised to do in a threatening manner

  Example

  The kidnappers carried out their threat to harm the hostages.

Origins of threaten

from Old English 'þreatian', meaning 'to press, urge'

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Summary: threaten in Brief

The verb 'threaten' [ˈθret(ə)n] means to warn someone of harm or punishment if they don't comply with one's demands. It can also mean to be likely to cause harm or damage. Examples include 'He threatened to fire her if she didn't finish the project on time.' and 'The storm threatens to damage the crops.' 'Threaten' is often used with phrases like 'empty threat' and 'pose a threat,' and it has formal synonyms like 'intimidate' and 'menace.'