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

Formal and Informal Expressions of threaten

In different contexts, you can replace 'threaten' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'intimidate, menace' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'scare, freak out' is a commonplace synonym.

threaten: Explore its Definition & Usage

threaten Definition

1to tell someone that you will harm or punish them if they do not do what you want
2to 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

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.'