ENGLISH
REFERENCE

threaten

v.
US //ˈθɹɛtən// UK //θɹˈɛtən// threat·en
  1. 1 to warn of harm (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to tell someone you will hurt them or cause problems if they do not do what you want.

    to express an intention to inflict punishment, injury, or negative consequences on someone, often to coerce their behaviour.

    Example

    The manager threatened to fire anyone who arrived late for the third time.

    Example

    The hijackers threatened to harm the hostages unless their demands for safe passage and fuel were met immediately.

    Usage

    Often followed by a 'to' infinitive or a 'that' clause.
    Pitfall
    He threatened me to call the police.
    He threatened to call the police.

    When the threat is an action by the speaker, use 'threaten to [verb]'. Do not put the person being threatened between the verb and the infinitive.

  2. 2 to be a danger (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to be a likely danger to something or someone.

    to pose a danger or a source of harm to the stability or existence of something.

    Example

    Pollution from the factory is starting to threaten the fish in the river.

    Example

    The sudden rise in interest rates began to threaten the viability of small businesses that relied on short-term credit lines.
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  1. 3 to seem likely to happen (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to be a sign that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen soon.

    to give a sign or warning of an impending unpleasant event.

    Example

    Dark clouds were gathering and a storm threatened to break at any moment.

    Example

    Although the morning was clear, the heavy humidity and shifting winds threatened a severe thunderstorm by late afternoon.
  2. 4 to challenge a record or belief (v.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    to come close to beating a record or to make people doubt an idea.

    to challenge the validity of a concept or to approach the threshold of surpassing a standing record.

    Example

    The young athlete's speed began to threaten the world record set ten years ago.

    Example

    New archaeological evidence has emerged that may threaten the long-held theory regarding the migration patterns of early humans.
Origin

From Middle English thretenen, from Old English þrēatnian (“to urge, force, compel”), equivalent to threat + -en.

Word family

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