Main Entry: threat·en

Pronunciation: \ˈthre-t^ən\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): threat·ened; threat·en·ing \ˈthret-niŋ, ˈthre-t^ən-iŋ\

Date: 13th century

transitive verb 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 1 : to utter threats
2 : to portend evil

— threat·en·er \ˈthret-nər, ˈthre-t^ən-ər\ noun

— threat·en·ing·ly \ˈthret-niŋ-lē, ˈthre-t^ən-iŋ-\ adverb