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Glite Dictionary
⚠️ To endanger 😠 To intimidate
to threaten

to threaten

∞ 3.0
To be likely to cause harm or damage
  • verb
  • /ˈθrɛtən/
translation icon : amenazar
  • And the instability contaminating the region threatens the advance of Latin American democracy.
  • threatened species
  • life-threatening
  • threaten survival

No nation on earth threatens the United States.

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Examples

  • As long as their property rights are not unduly threatened, they can also be successful environmental stewards.

    Academic text (1999)

  • No nation on earth threatens the United States.

    ReasonTV

  • Yes, but you must understand we're not here to threaten or harm.

    Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

  • The only people threatening the planet would be people.

    Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

  • When preparing to advocate your position to others, you should not feel threatened by questions or challenges.

    Academic text (2011)

  • I think there are always dangers that threaten the stability of societies.

  • Now traditional ways of supporting teaching are threatened, and new ways must be devised.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Four decades ago, a Third World dictator threatened American interests in a crucial region.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The dangers China faces are those that occur when rapid growth threatens to overwhelm a still-developing political economy.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The dark clouds in the sky threaten to bring a heavy storm.

Synonyms

to risk
vsto threaten
∞ 3.0

To do something that may cause harm or lead to loss

is about being likely to cause harm rather than a possible harmful action
to jeopardize
vsto threaten
  • US
191 6.3

Put someone or something in danger of harm

is about being likely to cause harm rather than exposing to loss or failure
to endanger
vsto threaten
124 3.7

To put someone or something in danger of harm

is about being likely to cause harm rather than actively causing danger
to menace
vsto threaten
19 4.6

To threaten people or places with harm

is about being likely to cause harm rather than showing hostile intent
to imperil
vsto threaten
9 7.8

Put someone or something in danger

is about being likely to cause harm rather than putting into direct danger
to peril
vsto threaten
8.2

To put a person or thing in serious danger

is about being likely to cause harm rather than creating an immediate dangerous situation

Antonyms

to protect
∞ 1.0

To keep someone or something safe from harm

to safeguard
45 3.7

To protect someone or something from harm

How Dangerous

to imperil
9 7.8
to endanger
124 3.7
to threaten
∞ 3.0
to jeopardize
  • US
191 6.3
to risk
∞ 3.0

Surface Forms

threaten infinitive
threatened past
threatened past participle
threatening present participle
threatens third person singular

Morphology

threaten = threat (transparent) = threat + en

The verb is formed by adding the productive verb-forming suffix '-en' to the noun 'threat', yielding the meaning 'to pose a threat' which is directly derivable.

Etymology

Threaten comes from an old English word þreatian, which meant 'to press' or 'crowd'. So when something threatens you it is like a danger pressing in on you that could cause harm.