as in to endanger
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of threaten
Every day that Iran is willing and able to threaten shipping in the strait puts the world closer to serious economic damage.
—
Matt Peterson, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Since the start of the conflict, Iran has threatened to hit ships that travel without its permission through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula that normally carries around one-fifth of the world's oil.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Unfortunately for the Sharks, right after that tie score, Lander went on a 9-0 run, and they were never seriously threatened the rest of the way.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and potential Houthi attacks threaten global food and energy security, disrupting critical maritime trade routes.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Matt Peterson, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Since the start of the conflict, Iran has threatened to hit ships that travel without its permission through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula that normally carries around one-fifth of the world's oil.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Unfortunately for the Sharks, right after that tie score, Lander went on a 9-0 run, and they were never seriously threatened the rest of the way.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and potential Houthi attacks threaten global food and energy security, disrupting critical maritime trade routes.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Verb
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The Metropolitan Police said the two men, aged 45 and 47, were arrested in London on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and that both have been taken to a police station in the city for questioning.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
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They were each charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of false imprisonment.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What mattered more than his terseness was that Norris was allowed to land a few meaningful blows against the usually untouchable Lee, who stars as Tang Lung, a fighter summoned to defend a restaurant owner menaced by a crime boss.—
Chris Klimek,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
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Bruce, as the stunt shark built to menace them is nicknamed, is acting up and delaying the acting itself.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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