Dictionary
threaten
verb threat·en \ˈthre-tən\
: to say that you will harm someone or do something unpleasant or unwanted especially in order to make someone do what you want
: to be something that is likely to cause harm to (someone or something) : to be a threat to (someone or something)
threat·enedthreat·en·ing \ˈthret-niŋ, ˈthre-tən-iŋ\
Full Definition of THREATEN
transitive verb
1
: to utter threats against
2
3
: to announce as intended or possible <the workers threatened a strike>
4
: to cause to feel insecure or anxious <felt threatened by his brother's success>
intransitive verb
1
: to utter threats
2
: to portend evil
— threat·en·er \ˈthret-nər, ˈthre-tən-ər\ noun
— threat·en·ing·ly \ˈthret-niŋ-lē, ˈthre-tən-iŋ-\ adverb
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First Known Use of THREATEN
13th century
Related to THREATEN
- Synonyms
- hang (over), hover (over), impend (over), menace, overhang
Rhymes with THREATEN
THREATENING Defined for Kids
threaten
verb threat·en \ˈthre-tən\
threat·enedthreat·en·ing
Definition of THREATEN for Kids
1
: to show an intention to do harm or something unwanted <He threatened to quit.>
2
: to give warning of by an indication <The clouds threatened rain.>
— threat·en·ing·ly adverb
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