threaten 1 of 3

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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threatening

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adjective

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threatening

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verb (2)

present participle of threaten
as in menacing
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples of threaten in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Share [Findings] Cocaine trafficking was found to threaten the golden-cheeked warbler. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 Moreover, unless financial privacy becomes a priority for voters, one of the most significant capabilities of the Bitcoin Network – final settlement every 10 minutes – will be threatened. Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
After those voicemails, the FBI contacted him and told him to stop making threatening calls, and Hanson agreed, prosecutors wrote. Phil Helsel, NBC News, 30 Oct. 2024 Jaheim Weaver, 21, turned himself into Milford police on Tuesday and was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree threatening and sixth-degree larceny. Staff Writer, Connecticut Post, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for threaten 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Adjective
  • Her dysfunctional parents are not coping with their impending loss well.
    Karen D'Souza, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Its price has more than doubled over the past 30-odd days amid growing market confidence in an impending Trump victory this week.
    Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Indeed, across social media on Wednesday, people were hoping — praying, even — that these ominous, panic-inducing spam messages might finally end, posting pictures of thoughtful politicians, or even excited Oprahs, to illustrate the point.
    David Mack, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Synopsis reads: Young Annie (Madison Wolfe) is targeted by an ominous white van that stalks her every move.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment regarding some advocates’ concerns that a second Trump term would be dangerous for transgender Americans.
    Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Researcher digs for answers Why do some people think fluoride is dangerous?
    John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Halloween in Riverdale is full of sinister happenings, from the videotapes of home exteriors that are showing up all over town to the teens playing dress-up as the city's most notorious serial killers.
    Nicole Briese, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
  • In House of Leaves, Danielewski’s unconventional typographical choices (words transfigure into different shapes across the pages) captures the sinister proportions of the house.
    G Kirilloff, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Who knew this fun at-home manicure trend could be so hazardous?
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 30 Oct. 2024
  • The training scenarios in the VR world are used to train on situations that are too hazardous and difficult to train on in the real world.
    John Clemons, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Returning to school as quickly as possible, with appropriate support, and getting light exercise that doesn’t pose a head injury risk are important first steps in concussion recovery, and in line with the latest research.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • The Trust continues to focus on maintaining its investment objective of tracking the Bitwise 10 Large Cap Crypto Index as closely as possible.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Herbert was sacked six times in the first half, including three by the Browns’ menacing Myles Garrett.
    Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 4 Nov. 2024
  • The menacing slugger Giancarlo Stanton was retired on a single pitch.
    Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Garcia, from the advocacy network in El Paso, said U.S. border policies meant to deter crossings by diverting immigration flows to risky areas have done little to stop people from trying to cross.
    Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Since then, filing has become riskier, more onerous, and more expensive.
    Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near threaten

Cite this Entry

“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

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