THREATEN


Meaning of THREATEN in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈthre-t ə n ]

verb

( threat·ened ; threat·en·ing ˈthret-niŋ, ˈthre-t ə n-iŋ)

Date: 13th century

transitive verb

1. : to utter threats against

2.

a. : to give signs or warning of : portend

the clouds threaten ed rain

b. : to hang over dangerously : menace

famine threaten s the city

3. : to announce as intended or possible

the workers threaten ed a strike

4. : to cause to feel insecure or anxious

felt threaten ed by his brother's success

intransitive verb

1. : to utter threats

2. : to portend evil

• threat·en·er ˈthret-nər, ˈthre-t ə n-ər noun

• threat·en·ing·ly ˈthret-niŋ-lē, ˈthre-t ə n-iŋ- adverb

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.