threaten

verb

ˈthre-tᵊn How to pronounce threaten (audio)
Definition of threatennext
as in to endanger
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of threaten For another, turning my head just sent the view spinning in different directions in a way that quickly threatened nausea. — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 The state threatened prosecution if the television stations didn’t comply. — Justin Garcia, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 In Mountain Cove, a couple of homes were severely threatened, Hummel said. — Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026 The injury also threatens the former All-Star’s hopes of representing Australia at the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
  1. endanger
  2. menace
Verb
  • The money will go to conservation groups and local partners working on species the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies as endangered, critically endangered, or extinct in the wild.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Delron Pickens, of Independence, was charged with one count of vehicle hijacking and one count of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child in Jackson County Circuit Court on Sunday.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of endanger
Verb
  • The total allotments to the three downstream states could be cut by as much as 40% through 2036, menacing their economies and communities.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The real, long-term threat there is that a stronger Russia would be even better positioned to menace the rest of Europe.
    — Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of menace

Browse Nearby Words

threat
threaten
threatened
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Cite this Entry

“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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