as in to endanger
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
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Recent Examples of threaten
If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
—
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025
That’s a major concern as US President Donald Trump threatens to impose tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, throwing a spotlight on America’s dependence on critical drug supplies from abroad.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Some 38 years later, the couple sold the place to a developer who threatened to demolish it but was thwarted with a stay of execution after an outcry from architects and preservationists.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 2 June 2025
Smith previously took the stand for hours, telling the jury that Brand harassed and threatened her in the weeks and months leading up to the attack.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025
That’s a major concern as US President Donald Trump threatens to impose tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, throwing a spotlight on America’s dependence on critical drug supplies from abroad.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Some 38 years later, the couple sold the place to a developer who threatened to demolish it but was thwarted with a stay of execution after an outcry from architects and preservationists.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 2 June 2025
Smith previously took the stand for hours, telling the jury that Brand harassed and threatened her in the weeks and months leading up to the attack.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Verb
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The species is considered critically endangered due to its limited distribution and ongoing habitat threats.—
Real-Time news team,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
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Critics, including lawmakers from both parties, have warned that sharing pre-strike details on an unsecured app could have endangered U.S. pilots.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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One member of the pack menaced him with a knife while another flashed a gun, before some of the youths held him down and stole a sneaker off the victim’s foot before running away, according to police.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2025
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The first night, the characters are menaced by a bald hulk in overalls, wearing a clown mask with the mouth area (including his teeth) smashed in.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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