Threaten meaning

What does “threaten” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“threaten” is a verb with 3 meanings. Its most common meaning is: pose a threat to; present a danger to.

threaten

pose a threat to; present a danger to
“The pollution is endangering the crops”
Synonymsendanger jeopardize jeopardise menace imperil peril
to utter intentions of injury or punishment against
“He threatened me when I tried to call the police”
to be a menacing indication of something
“The clouds threaten rain”
“Danger threatens”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University