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
But even summarizing the first absolute banger of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival this way threatens to boil the film down to its themes and its craft, the way Kris does with the original Camp Miasma, at the cost of delving into the experience of watching it.
—
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 14 May 2026
Alex Wong / Getty Images In a nod to the historic nature of the summit, ahead of the bilateral talks, Xi invoked the Thucydides Trap — a theory that describes the tendency toward conflict when an emerging power threatens an existing power.
—Katherine Doyle, NBC news, 14 May 2026
The trap Xi referred to, Thucydides trap, is Harvard Professor Graham Allison's theory that when a rising power threatens to displace one already established, the outcome could be war.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 May 2026
As her mother’s failing health threatens the life of her unborn child, Ofelia undertakes a quest to complete the Faun’s tasks.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 May 2026
In The Deal, Hannah breaks up with Garrett at the behest of his father, Phil, who threatens to cut off his son financially if their relationship continues.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Building out data centers is essential to capturing the benefits of the artificial intelligence revolution, but burgeoning political backlash threatens to hinder progress.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 13 May 2026
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
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 14 May 2026
Alex Wong / Getty Images In a nod to the historic nature of the summit, ahead of the bilateral talks, Xi invoked the Thucydides Trap — a theory that describes the tendency toward conflict when an emerging power threatens an existing power.
—Katherine Doyle, NBC news, 14 May 2026
The trap Xi referred to, Thucydides trap, is Harvard Professor Graham Allison's theory that when a rising power threatens to displace one already established, the outcome could be war.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 May 2026
As her mother’s failing health threatens the life of her unborn child, Ofelia undertakes a quest to complete the Faun’s tasks.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 May 2026
In The Deal, Hannah breaks up with Garrett at the behest of his father, Phil, who threatens to cut off his son financially if their relationship continues.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Building out data centers is essential to capturing the benefits of the artificial intelligence revolution, but burgeoning political backlash threatens to hinder progress.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 13 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatens
endangers
Verb
-
Crandall said the suppression only policy endangers the few firefighters left at the agency.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
17 May 2026
-
Trump has accused Pope Leo XIV of being soft on terrorism and supporting negotiations with Iran, claiming the pontiff endangers Catholics by failing to oppose Iran’s potential acquisition of nuclear weapons.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threatens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatens. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
