threatens; threatened; threatening
1
: to say that you will harm someone or do something unpleasant or unwanted especially in order to make someone do what you want
The mugger threatened him with a gun.
He threatened to tell their boss. = He threatened that he would tell their boss.
She threatened to quit if they didn't give her a raise, but no one believed her.
He tried to get what he wanted by threatening people (with violence).
The workers have threatened to strike if their demands are not met. = The workers have threatened a strike if their demands are not met.
The kidnapper threatened to kill her. = The kidnapper threatened her life.
2
a
: to be something that is likely to cause harm to (someone or something) : to be a threat to (someone or something)
Civil war has been threatening the country for years.
a marriage threatened by financial problems
Overfishing threatens the survival of certain fish species.
She felt (emotionally) threatened by his friendships with female coworkers.
Disaster threatens.
b
—used to say that something bad or harmful appears likely or possible
The clouds were threatening rain. [=the clouds made it appear that it was likely to rain]
The latest news threatens trouble for the economy.
It looks like it's threatening to rain. [=it looks like it may rain]
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/threaten. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
