threaten

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 Kaplan testified that Combs threatened his job on a monthly basis, once berating him for buying the wrong size bottled water. Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 Many observers were perplexed that an eighty-two-year-old man with virtually unlimited access to medical care—and about whose health there has been virtually unlimited conjecture—could have gone undiagnosed until the cancer threatened his life. Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 22 May 2025 Ventura previously testified that Combs threatened her after finding out about her relationship with Mescudi and said the music mogul allegedly threatened to blow up the rapper's car. Elizabeth Rosner, People.com, 22 May 2025 Ventura previously testified that Combs explicitly threatened to destroy Mescudi's car during her testimony at the trial last week, multiple outlets reported. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Verb
  • The Metropolitan Police said the suspect was detained on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life a day after an early-morning fire on Monday damaged the door of the house where Starmer and his family lived before he was elected to lead the country, according to the Associated Press.
    Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2025
  • The only two surviving buildings from Terminal Island’s days as a thriving Japanese American fishing village in the early 1900s have been placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2025 list of America’s 11 most endangered historic places.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • As Montgomery’s troops menaced Montreal, Carleton abandoned his seat of governance at the Chateau Ramezay and gave up the city without a fight.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2025
  • The impostors then stole two hot dogs and menaced the vendor with a knife before taking off on Seventh Ave., heading toward 44th St. Cops took one man into custody following the heist, and are looking for a second person dressed in a red hoodie, black pants and black and white sneakers.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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