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   threaten

   /ˈθrɛtn/

   verb

   • 1. state one's intention to take hostile action against (someone) in retribution for something done or not done: "how dare you threaten me?" Similar menaceintimidatebrowbeatbullycowpressurizelean onterrorizefrightenscarealarmmake threats againstissue threats tothreaten to harm/kill
   • ▪ state one's intention to do (something undesirable) in retribution: "the trade unions threatened a general strike"
   • 2. cause (someone or something) to be vulnerable or at risk; endanger: "a broken finger threatened his career" Similar endangerbe a danger tobe a threat tomenaceimperilput at riskmake vulnerableexpose to dangerput in jeopardyjeopardizedrive a nail into the coffin ofarchaic:peril
   • ▪ seem likely to produce an unpleasant or unwelcome result: "the dispute threatened to spread to other cities" Similar warn ofbe a warning ofgive a warning ofpromisepresageaugurportendforeshadowprophesybe an omen offoretellheraldbodeannouncebe a harbinger ofbe an indication ofindicatepoint tobe a sign ofsignalsignifymeanspelladd up toamount tobe evidence ofliterary:betokenforetokenforebodeharbinger
   • ▪ (of something undesirable) seem likely to occur: "unless war threatened, national politics remained the focus of attention" Similar be likely (to happen)be imminentbe (close) at handbe nearbe closebe approachingbe on the horizonbe just around the cornerbe brewingbe gatheringbe loomingbe coming (soon)be coming upbe on the waybe expectedbe anticipatedbe in prospectbe in the windbe in the airbe forthcomingbe impendinghang over someoneinformal:be on the cards

   Word Origin Old Englishthrēatnian ‘urge or induce, especially by using threats’, from thrēat (see threat).

   Derivatives

   • 1. threatener noun

   Scrabble Points: 11

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