Threaten

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈθret.É™n/

Origin

From Middle English þreaten or þreten, from Old English þrēatian.

Full definition of threaten

Verb

1. To make a threat against someone; to use threats.
• 1905, w, w:The Case of Miss Elliott Chapter 2, No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict ; he had often threatened any one of his employés with instant dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts.
2. He threatened me with a knife.
3. To menace, or be dangerous.The rocks threatened the ship's survival.
4. To portend, or give a warning of.The black clouds threatened heavy rain.

Usage notes

This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See