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
Nationally, teachers have been both threatened with injury and physically attacked by students at an alarming rate.
—
IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
When he was first questioned by the police, the outlet alleged that Mirza accused a drug dealer of murdering Marsuk, saying that he was also injured and threatened in the altercation.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Israel's simultaneous push for peace and ongoing attacks in Syria are putting the country's brand-new leader to the test, threatening to undermine his nascent rule as the hardline Islamist fighters who helped bring him to power risk turning against him.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Severe weather threatens Kansas City area The weather service is tracking a strong cold front near the North Dakota and Canadian border that is expected to surge south, arriving across the region on Wednesday afternoon.
—Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threaten
IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
When he was first questioned by the police, the outlet alleged that Mirza accused a drug dealer of murdering Marsuk, saying that he was also injured and threatened in the altercation.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Israel's simultaneous push for peace and ongoing attacks in Syria are putting the country's brand-new leader to the test, threatening to undermine his nascent rule as the hardline Islamist fighters who helped bring him to power risk turning against him.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Severe weather threatens Kansas City area The weather service is tracking a strong cold front near the North Dakota and Canadian border that is expected to surge south, arriving across the region on Wednesday afternoon.
—Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Verb
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Though Smith was charged with four counts of assault for scaring and endangering the villagers, troopers did not say he was involved in his mother’s death.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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In a tide election, that could endanger seats that were previously safely Republican.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While much higher than pre-Trump, that number is down from the 30% level being menaced by the U.S.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
29 July 2025
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The reptilian head, the jaws with sharpened teeth have menaced people in Aliens, Gremlins, Predator, and other movies.—
David Denby,
Vulture,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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