threatened; threatening
ˈthret-niŋ 
ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ
1
: to utter threats against
2
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
Examples of threaten in a Sentence
The mugger threatened him with a gun.
She threatened to quit if they didn't give her a raise, but no one believed her.
Civil war has been threatening the country for years.
a marriage threatened by financial problems
Overfishing threatens the survival of certain fish species.
The latest news threatens trouble for the economy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jenkinson, who faces two counts, is accused of threatening Andrew on Wednesday and another man on Tuesday.
—
Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
When time with her feels threatened, even well-meaning offers can land the wrong way.
—Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
As Dan’s relationship with Kolkena progressed, Betty reportedly left vulgar and threatening messages on the couple’s answering machine, prompting Dan to threaten criminal contempt action, according to the Los Angeles Times.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 May 2026
The man received non-life threatening injures and was treated by first responders before being transported to a local hospital.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
When time with her feels threatened, even well-meaning offers can land the wrong way.
—Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
As Dan’s relationship with Kolkena progressed, Betty reportedly left vulgar and threatening messages on the couple’s answering machine, prompting Dan to threaten criminal contempt action, according to the Los Angeles Times.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 May 2026
The man received non-life threatening injures and was treated by first responders before being transported to a local hospital.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threaten. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
threaten
verb
threat·en
ˈthret-ᵊn
threatened; threatening
ˈthret-niŋ
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
: to utter threats : make threats against
threaten trespassers with arrest
2
: to give signs or warning of
clouds threatening rain
3
: to be an imminent danger to : menace
hunger threatens the town
4
: to announce as intended or possible
the workers threatened a strike
threatened to buy a car
5
: to cause to feel insecure or anxious
felt threatened by his friend's success
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