Thesaurus results for THREATEN

threaten

verb

ˈthre-tᵊn

Definition of threaten

as in to endanger

to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of threaten For another, turning my head just sent the view spinning in different directions in a way that quickly threatened nausea. — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 The state threatened prosecution if the television stations didn’t comply. — Justin Garcia, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 In Mountain Cove, a couple of homes were severely threatened, Hummel said. — Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026 The injury also threatens the former All-Star’s hopes of representing Australia at the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threaten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten

Verb

After he was released from the hospital, 22-year-old Nicholas James Stedeford-Aaron was arrested and charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger and failure to move over for emergency vehicles with injury.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026
One key objection was the mature tone of the narrative, in which the child protagonist is directly confronted and endangered by the evils derived from fascist ideologies.

— Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of endanger

Verb

Carabello has two open cases, including one arrest for gun possession and another for menacing a man with a knife.

— Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026
The midterm elections are looming and the first hurricane of the Atlantic Season is menacing the Gulf Coast.

— Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of menace

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threat

threaten

threatened

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“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of threaten

verb

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