threaten
//ˈθɹɛt.n̩//
Forms
- present (v1)
- threaten
- past (v2)
- threatened
- past participle (v3)
- threatened
- present participle
- threatening
- 3rd person singular
- threatens
Definitions
1.To make a threat against someone; to use threats.
- He threatened me with a knife.
2.To menace, or be dangerous.
- The rocks threatened the ship's survival.
3.To portend, or give a warning of.
- The black clouds threatened heavy rain.
4.To call into question the validity of (a belief, idea, or viewpoint); to challenge.
- The new information threatened our original hypothesis.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1597
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Word family
Etymology
From Middle English thretenen
From Old English þrēatnian (“to urge, force, compel”), equivalent to threat + -en.