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threat·en
 threaten
- pronunciation:
- thre
t
 n
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
threatened, threatening, threatens |
| definition 1: |
to declare intent to harm or punish.
The judge threatened him with a jail sentence.She threatened him with a gun.- synonyms:
- menace
- antonyms:
- coax
- similar words:
- admonish, bulldoze, bully, challenge, cow, intimidate, jeopardize, provoke, terrorize, warn
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| definition 2: |
to warn of upcoming trouble or harm.
The sky threatened rain.- synonyms:
- augur, bode, portend
- similar words:
- endanger, imperil, presage, promise
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| definition 3: |
to announce as an action that one might take, such action being considered one that would have an adverse effect on others.
She threatened to quit if she wasn't offered more money.He threatened to kill her if she went to the police.- similar words:
- promise
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| related words: |
coerce, compromise, frighten, overcast, peril |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to use threats.
He can threaten all he wants, but I don't think he can actually harm you.- similar words:
- bully, challenge, menace, warn
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| definition 2: |
to warn of danger or mischief.
The storm clouds threatened. |
| related words: |
brew, loom, snarl |
| derivations: |
threateningly (adv.), threatener (n.) |
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