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

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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 As the violent storm threatens the country’s northeastern coast, millions of people have evacuated from villages at risk of flash floods, landslides, and tidal surges. Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025 The arrival of a young Sudanese businessman threatens to change their way of life. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 9 Nov. 2025 History shows that when structural change threatens status, nostalgia for hierarchy often masquerades as rational analysis. Jane Sadowsky, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025 Climate change threatens the bears’ natural habitat on the Arctic sea ice, forcing them to spend more time on land and around humans. Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025 The way those actions were carried out, the complaint filed in October 2019 says, threatens ENNIA’s ability to conduct the most basic function of an insurer — paying the claims of its policyholders. Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025 None were offered up as free fuel for an algorithm that now threatens to replace the people who made them. Gerard Scimeca, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025 But his proposal at least threatens to make the city more expensive for both businesses and billionaires in an effort to rein in costs for the rest of the city's residents. NPR, 6 Nov. 2025 Harrell then threatens to kill the teen. Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatens
endangers
Verb
  • Sanchez is currently facing one felony charge (battery resulting in serious bodily injury) and three misdemeanor charges (battery resulting in bodily injury, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication that endangers the life of another).
    Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The organization warned Monday that the storm endangers communities already grappling with poverty, inequality, violence, and recent disasters—factors that could complicate recovery efforts.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Threatens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatens. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

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