ENGLISH
REFERENCE

threatens

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈθɹɛtənz// UK //θɹˈɛtənz// threat·ens

v. to say you will hurt someone or cause trouble if you do not get what you want. It can also mean that something bad is likely to happen soon.

v. to express an intention to inflict harm, pain, or misery on another, typically to coerce their actions. Also used to indicate that a negative event is imminent or probable.


SIMPLE

The dark clouds threaten a heavy storm.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager threatens to fire anyone who arrives late to the meeting three times in a row.

COMPLEX

While the diplomat's public speech was calm, his private correspondence threatens a total withdrawal of support if the treaty terms are not met by the end of the fiscal year.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and can take a direct object, a 'to' infinitive, or a noun phrase.

Pitfall

he threatens for mehe threatens meThreaten is a transitive verb and does not require a preposition before the person being threatened.

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