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
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Recent Examples of threaten
Police obtained text messages from the woman’s phone, the affidavit said, that had conversations between her and Johnson about two men threatening to shoot Johnson.
—
Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
In July 2002, Drew allegedly broke into Savio's home and held her hostage at knifepoint, threatening to kill her, per CNN.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
The agency has undertaken decades of searching to see if there are any potentially hazardous objects threatening our planet.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The parent of an elementary school student threatened his child’s teacher over a snack time dispute, Michigan officials say.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
In July 2002, Drew allegedly broke into Savio's home and held her hostage at knifepoint, threatening to kill her, per CNN.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
The agency has undertaken decades of searching to see if there are any potentially hazardous objects threatening our planet.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The parent of an elementary school student threatened his child’s teacher over a snack time dispute, Michigan officials say.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Verb
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Duren was also found guilty of knowingly and recklessly causing Caitlyn Naffziger’s death, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon and endangering the welfare of Naffziger’s child.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
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Kenvue has repeatedly defended the pain medicine, saying there is no scientific link to autism and warning that such suggestions could endanger maternal health.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the follow-up, the sinister killer seeks vengeance on Finn from beyond the grave by menacing his younger sister, Gwen, who is played by Madeleine McGraw.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Oct. 2025
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Pop-culture figures like Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman are so ubiquitous as to be both movie characters and parodies of themselves, and this DuckTales episode is good for any kids that like monsters but aren’t quite ready to be menaced by them yet.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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