threatened

4.1

An animal or plant at risk of dying out soon

adjective
/ˈθrɛtənd/

Specialized

: amenazado

Many threatened animals are on the brink of extinction.

Examples

The polar bear is a threatened species due to habitat loss in the Arctic.
Many threatened animals are protected by law to prevent extinction.
Conservation programs aim to help threatened plants and animals recover their populations.
The threatened species needs immediate protection.
The California condor is a threatened species that requires protection to survive.
Many species of turtles are now threatened due to habitat loss and pollution.
Conservation efforts are essential to prevent threatened animals from becoming extinct.

Antonyms

thriving

6 3.8

Growing and very successful, like a busy café or arts scene

Compounds

threatened abortion

Specialized

8.0

Bleeding or cramping in early pregnancy that may cause miscarriage but may not

How Endangered

endangered

163 4.6

threatened

Specialized

4.1

vulnerable

581 4.0

Surface Forms

threatened positive

Morphology

threatened = threaten (transparent) = threat + en + ed

The verb 'threaten' (threat + -en) is a clear verbalization of 'threat', and adding '-ed' yields the adjective/past participle meaning 'subject to threat', a predictable derivation.

Etymology

Threatened comes from the old word threat, which once meant a 'crowd' or 'pressure' and later a 'danger'. So if a plant or animal is threatened, it is being pushed toward harm or loss and is in real danger of disappearing.