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
Relevance
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
Thomas, 34, said that in the aftermath of the game she and her family have been threatened and that she has been called racial slurs.
—
Henderson Hewes,
ABC News,
1 July 2026
The downside is that without strict containment practices, the beetles can escape and lay eggs that hatch, leading to infestations that threaten museum collections.
—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
1 July 2026
James is every ambitious director threatening to topple this town in a narcissistic quest to create the ultimate special effects epic.
—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Later, the Streevers would learn the same agents presented the same form to a Syracuse poll worker earlier that day, and accused her of threatening an ICE officer on her Instagram account.
—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Henderson Hewes,
ABC News,
1 July 2026
The downside is that without strict containment practices, the beetles can escape and lay eggs that hatch, leading to infestations that threaten museum collections.
—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
1 July 2026
James is every ambitious director threatening to topple this town in a narcissistic quest to create the ultimate special effects epic.
—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Later, the Streevers would learn the same agents presented the same form to a Syracuse poll worker earlier that day, and accused her of threatening an ICE officer on her Instagram account.
—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Verb
-
The zoo called Nangka's birth a major achievement for the genetic diversity and conservation of the species, which is critically endangered.
-
Court records show Pawnell faces charges including second-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child.
Verb
-
Centuries later, Zarkon continues to menace the universe.
-
He was menaced in the English countryside last month by a man shouting at him from 50 yards away, according to British outlet The Telegraph.
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
