Definition Definition

threaten - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'threaten' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Threaten [ v. i.]
- To use threats, or menaces; also, to have a threatening appearance.
2 . Threaten [ v. t.]
- To utter threats against; to menace; to inspire with apprehension; to alarm, or attempt to alarm, as with the promise of something evil or disagreeable; to warn.
- To exhibit the appearance of (something evil or unpleasant) as approaching; to indicate as impending; to announce the conditional infliction of; as, to threaten war; to threaten death.

Meaning of 'threaten' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . threaten [ v]
Meaning (1):
- to be a menacing indication of something
Example in sentence:
  • Danger threatens;
  • The clouds threaten rain
Meaning (2):
- to utter intentions of injury or punishment against
Example in sentence:
  • He threatened me when I tried to call the police
Meaning (3):
- pose a threat to; present a danger to
Example in sentence:
  • The pollution is endangering the crops