THREATEN

v. 1 intimidate, menace, terrorize, daunt, cow, bully, browbeat, warn, caution The headmaster threatened those who misbehaved with the most dire punishment 2 imperil, put at risk, endanger, jeopardize, put in jeopardy All life is threatened if the environment is not better looked after 3 impend, loom; augur, portend, presage, forebode The creatures crawl into their burrows if danger threatens The gathering clouds threatened rain.