threaten (B2)
verb
Pronunciation: /ˈθretn/
Definition
To make someone feel that you will hurt or harm them, or that something bad will happen to them.
Examples
He threatened to report us to the police.
The company's financial situation is threatening to collapse.
She threatened him with a knife.
How to Use threaten
- threaten to do something (phrasal verb)
- To say that you will do something unpleasant or harmful to someone if they do not do what you want. — "He threatened to sue the company."
- threaten someone/something with something (prepositional phrase)
- To tell someone that you will cause them harm or trouble using a particular thing or method. — "The kidnappers threatened the family with death."
- threaten someone's life (collocation)
- To state an intention to kill someone. — "The politician received death threats."
Synonyms of threaten
Words with a similar meaning to threaten:
Antonyms of threaten
Words with the opposite meaning to threaten:
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