threaten

verb

ˈthre-tᵊn How to pronounce threaten (audio)
Definition of threatennext
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

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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 Police and military personnel forcibly disappeared, arbitrarily detained, beat and threatened opposition members, lawyers, journalists and government critics, the report said. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026 Newsom’s support for the deal came after Paramount threatened to move operations to Tennessee or Texas, placing more pressure on Bonta to come to an agreement and blunt efforts to lose California’s signature industry. — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026 His life was also threatened by armed gangs in the lawless Darien Gap in Central America, jail in Panama and a polar bear in Siberia. — Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 The decision has infuriated Democrats and threatened the party’s path to winning a Senate majority. — Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
  1. endanger
  2. menace
Verb
  • The university found violations involving hazing, endangering behavior and alcohol, resulting in 13 months of probation for the fraternity, university records show.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Gusting winds, steep terrain, and dry conditions can accelerate fire spread, endangering lives, homes, wildlife, and surrounding communities.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of endanger
Verb
  • The attacker also menaced the victim with a knife during the encounter, a police source said.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • While O’Brian challenged Fuentes, others have been menaced by his followers simply for trying to build public-facing careers as members of his movement, which has no apparent goals in electoral politics as a seismic midterm election cycle plays out.
    — Nathan Taylor Pemberton, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of menace

Browse Nearby Words

threat
threaten
threatened
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Cite this Entry

“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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