- threaten */*/*/
- UK [ˈθret(ə)n] / US
verb
Word forms "threaten":
present tense I/you/we/they threaten he/she/it threatens present participle threatening past tense threatened past participle threatened1)a) [transitive] to tell someone that you might or you will cause them harm, especially in order to make them do somethingthreaten to do something:He's been threatening me for months.
threaten someone with something:The terrorists are threatening to kill the hostages.
threaten someone's life (= say that you will kill them):One man has been threatened with legal action.
My life has been threatened on several occasions.
b) to say that you might or you will do something bad or harmful, especially in order to make someone do somethingNATO has threatened air strikes against the capital.
2) [transitive] to be likely to harm or destroy somethingthe cancer that now threatens his life
Their actions threaten the stability and security of the region.
threaten to do something:Many workers feel that their jobs are threatened.
Nuclear testing threatens to destroy our environment.
3) [intransitive] if something bad or unpleasant threatens, it is likely to happen or to affect youRain was threatening, and it had turned cold.
The wildebeest return to the herd when danger threatens.
•threaten someone with a knife/gun etc
— to say or show that you will hurt someone with a knife/gun etc
English dictionary. 2014.