(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
If a person ~s to do something unpleasant to you, or if they ~ you, they say or imply that they will do something unpleasant to you, especially if you do not do what they want.
He said army officers had ~ed to destroy the town...
He tied her up and ~ed her with a six-inch knife...
If you ~ me or use any force, I shall inform the police.
VERB: V to-inf, V n with n, V n, also V that
2.
If something or someone ~s a person or thing, they are likely to harm that person or thing.
The newcomers directly ~ the livelihood of the established workers...
30 percent of reptiles, birds, and fish are currently ~ed with extinction.
VERB: V n, be V-ed with n
3.
If something unpleasant ~s to happen, it seems likely to happen.
The fighting is ~ing to turn into full-scale war...
VERB: V to-inf
4.
see also ~ed , ~ing