/ ˈθretn; NAmE / verb
1.
threaten sb (with sth) to say that you will cause trouble, hurt sb, etc. if you do not get what you want :
[ vn ]
They broke my windows and threatened me.
The attacker threatened them with a gun.
He was threatened with dismissal if he continued to turn up late for work.
The threatened strike has been called off.
[ v to inf ]
The hijackers threatened to kill one passenger every hour if their demands were not met.
[also v that ]
2.
to seem likely to happen or cause sth unpleasant :
[ v ]
A storm was threatening.
[ v to inf ]
This dispute threatens to split the party.
[ vn ]
The clouds threatened rain.
3.
[ vn ] to be a danger to sth
SYN endanger , put at risk :
Pollution is threatening marine life.
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English thrēatnian urge or induce, especially by using threats , from thrēat oppression , of Germanic origin.