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- pronunciation:
- thre
t
 n
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
threatens, threatening, threatened |
| definition 1: |
to say that one will harm or punish; make a threat to.
The judge threatened him with a jail sentence.- synonyms:
- menace
- antonyms:
- coax
- similar words:
- admonish, bully, challenge, provoke, terrorize, warn
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| definition 2: |
to warn or give a sign of.
The cloudy sky threatened snow.- synonyms:
- bode
- similar words:
- endanger, promise
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| definition 3: |
to announce an action that one might take which would have a bad effect on oneself or others, often made in order to force others to do something that one wants.
The bus drivers threatened to go on strike if they didn't get a raise in pay.- similar words:
- promise
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| definition 4: |
to be a cause of loss or destruction.
Plastic pollution in the ocean threatens both sea animals and birds.- similar words:
- endanger
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| related words: |
compromise, frighten |
| derivations: |
threateningly (adv.), threatener (n.) |
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