Entry Word: threaten

Function: verb

Meaning: to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on <unless the home fansʼ unacceptable behavior and name-calling stops, the possibility of expulsion from the league threatens the school's basketball team>

Synonyms hang (over), hover (over), impend (over), menace, overhang

Related Words endanger, hazard, imperil, jeopardize