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- Dictionarythreaten/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
- 2. cause (someone or something) to be vulnerable or at risk; endanger: "a broken finger threatened his career" Similar
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THREATEN definition: 1. to tell someone that you will kill or hurt them or cause problems if they do not do what you…. Learn more.
If something or someone threatens a person or thing, they are likely to harm that person or thing. The newcomers directly threaten the livelihood of the established workers. [VERB noun] The unity of our society is threatened by troublesome and restless minorities. [VERB noun]
1. : to utter threats against. 2. a. : to give signs or warning of : portend. the clouds threatened rain. b. : to hang over dangerously : menace. famine threatens the city. 3. : to announce as intended or possible. the workers threatened a strike. 4. : to cause to feel insecure or anxious. felt threatened by his brother's success. intransitive verb
Threaten definition: to utter a threat against; menace. See examples of THREATEN used in a sentence.
[transitive] to say that you will cause trouble, hurt somebody, etc. if you do not get what you want. threaten somebody/something They broke my windows and threatened me. People have even threatened his life. threaten somebody with something The attacker threatened them with a gun.
to tell someone that you will hurt or harm him or her, esp. if the person does not do something in particular: [ I ] They threatened to drop him from the team if he didn’t come to practice. [ T ] Don’t threaten me! threaten verb (WARN OF POSSIBILITY) [ T ] to warn of something unpleasant or unwanted:
Something that threatens makes its danger known. Storm clouds threaten rain, and bullies threaten other kids. Unfortunately, there are lots of people and things that threaten — it's a dangerous world. If someone threatens you with violence, you should call the police.
[intransitive, transitive] to seem likely to happen or cause something unpleasant A storm was threatening. When war threatens, people act irrationally. threaten to do something This dispute threatens to split the party. threaten something The clouds threatened rain.
Threaten definition, to utter a threat against; menace: He threatened the boy with a beating. See more.
to tell someone that you will kill or hurt them, or cause problems for them if they do not do what you want: He threatened the staff with a gun and demanded money. [ + to do sth ] He threatened to report her to the police. Fewer examples. They have threatened to retaliate against any troops that attack.
