threatens

present tense third-person singular of threaten
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

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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 threatens Flooding threatens dozens of hospitals in coastal areas, including in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and New York. CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025 They’re set to expire in December, and while Congress could act to extend them, a prolonged government shutdown threatens to delay or derail that effort, leaving millions of Americans at risk of losing coverage. Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025 As plastic waste clogs rivers, kills marine life and threatens human health, many leaders of countries, communities and forward-looking companies are working on ways to stem the tide of plastic pollution. Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 Increasing political pressure that threatens to undermine the Federal Reserve’s independence may significantly damage the economy in the long term, even as lower interest rates resulting from this pressure will likely lead to a short-term economic boost. Nick Thomas, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025 Proposition 50 is California’s armament in a redistricting war that has stormed into at least three states and threatens to spread to others. Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025 His work also touches on nostalgia — an underlying concern that what Puerto Ricans are today could be lost tomorrow, as gentrification and an influx of outsiders threatens to erase parts of the culture. Cata Balzano, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025 The administration threatens mass layoffs as Congress again barrels towards a government shutdown. ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025 However, Ruth and Boaz's relationship gets tested when her past follows her and threatens to upend her new, simple life. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatens
endangers
Verb
  • That the nation’s president used his platform to promote theories that have been thoroughly debunked across hundreds of studies endangers all children.
    Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The group also reaffirmed that vaccines are safe, play no role in autism and that undermining them endangers public health.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Threatens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatens. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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