as in endangers
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 threatens
This uncertainty hampers long-term planning and threatens essential services like smaller class sizes and mental health support.
—
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The fights span Hood and Somervell counties, where neighbors say industrial development threatens water, wildlife, tourism and quality of life.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Twelve blocks to the west, the Pacific Ocean glitters and threatens, waves dragging out in the wind.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The prime ministers of Japan and Australia agreed to deepen cooperation in a wide range of areas including energy security, defense and critical minerals as the Iran war threatens global supply chains.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
Even so, Wall Street expects a significant drop in overall sales this quarter, as generic competition for the Wegovy shot threatens sales in India, China and Canada.
—Angelica Peebles,elsa Ohlen,annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 May 2026
As envy, insecurity and imposter syndrome jostle for pole position in Simon’s narcissistic headspace, the film threatens a pivot into more intriguingly black-comic territory, or into a more metatextual send-up of indie-movie tropes and aesthetics.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 May 2026
Any person who assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with airline crewmembers can face criminal charges and civil penalties costing up to $3,658 per violation, the statement read.
—Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 3 May 2026
Legal experts warn that government noncompliance threatens respect for the rule of law.
—Sudhin Thanawala, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The fights span Hood and Somervell counties, where neighbors say industrial development threatens water, wildlife, tourism and quality of life.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Twelve blocks to the west, the Pacific Ocean glitters and threatens, waves dragging out in the wind.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The prime ministers of Japan and Australia agreed to deepen cooperation in a wide range of areas including energy security, defense and critical minerals as the Iran war threatens global supply chains.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
Even so, Wall Street expects a significant drop in overall sales this quarter, as generic competition for the Wegovy shot threatens sales in India, China and Canada.
—Angelica Peebles,elsa Ohlen,annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 May 2026
As envy, insecurity and imposter syndrome jostle for pole position in Simon’s narcissistic headspace, the film threatens a pivot into more intriguingly black-comic territory, or into a more metatextual send-up of indie-movie tropes and aesthetics.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 May 2026
Any person who assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with airline crewmembers can face criminal charges and civil penalties costing up to $3,658 per violation, the statement read.
—Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 3 May 2026
Legal experts warn that government noncompliance threatens respect for the rule of law.
—Sudhin Thanawala, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatens
endangers
Verb
-
The teaser also reveals that the titular character has a huge company, which endangers millions with a drilling operation that goes too far.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Someone this unstable, whose behavior endangers the nation, should not remain in office.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threatens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatens. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
