threaten

//ˈθrɛt.ən//
B1Frequency Level 6Neutral
Visual representation of threaten

Verb

threatenInfinitive
threatenPresent tense
threatenedPast tense
threatenedPast participle
threateningPresent participle
threatensThird-person singular
1

to express one's intention to harm or punish someone

He threatened to call the police if they didn't leave.

2

to be likely to cause harm or damage to something; to put at risk

Climate change threatens many species with extinction.

3

to seem likely to happen or occur, especially something unpleasant

Dark clouds threatened rain.

threaten - Deep Vocabulary