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 Kaplan testified that Combs threatened his job on a monthly basis, once berating him for buying the wrong size bottled water. Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 Many observers were perplexed that an eighty-two-year-old man with virtually unlimited access to medical care—and about whose health there has been virtually unlimited conjecture—could have gone undiagnosed until the cancer threatened his life. Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 22 May 2025 Ventura previously testified that Combs threatened her after finding out about her relationship with Mescudi and said the music mogul allegedly threatened to blow up the rapper's car. Elizabeth Rosner, People.com, 22 May 2025 Ventura previously testified that Combs explicitly threatened to destroy Mescudi's car during her testimony at the trial last week, multiple outlets reported. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Verb
  • Atlanta provided him a second chance, but that opportunity appears endangered.
    Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
  • With fewer than 400 individuals left in fragmented forest habitats, it is critically endangered.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • One member of the pack menaced him with a knife while another flashed a gun, before some of the youths held him down and stole a sneaker off the victim’s foot before running away, according to police.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 16 May 2025
  • The first night, the characters are menaced by a bald hulk in overalls, wearing a clown mask with the mouth area (including his teeth) smashed in.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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