as in to endanger
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline
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Recent Examples of threaten
That has fueled a broader rise in inflation as prices for anything being shipped move higher and threaten to slow economic growth.
—
Arkansas Online, 6 June 2026
If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2026
Local services will be threatened, everything from street cleaning to park maintenance.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026
The fighting in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have seized large swaths of the south, also threatens efforts to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz because Iran has demanded that any lasting truce extend to Lebanon.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Arkansas Online, 6 June 2026
If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2026
Local services will be threatened, everything from street cleaning to park maintenance.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026
The fighting in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have seized large swaths of the south, also threatens efforts to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz because Iran has demanded that any lasting truce extend to Lebanon.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Verb
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Like with Saenz, the no-contact order hinged on the evaluation of a psychologist, who testified that Michelle was angry and paranoid and might endanger their son in her pursuit of revenge against his father, according to court filings.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
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Clendenning said releasing Zeinab from custody would pose an unacceptable risk of endangering the safety and welfare of the public.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Fueled by gusting winds and warm temperatures, multiple large wildfires continued to menace Southern California on Wednesday, prompting thousands of residents to evacuate, authorities said.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
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Donald menaced Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow all game, recording two sacks, four combined tackles, two tackles for loss, and three QB hits in one of the most dominant defensive performances in Super Bowl history.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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