as in to endanger
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of threaten
The possibility of nuclear war threatens the survival of humanity.
—
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2025
Speaking to journalists Friday in Kyiv, Zelensky said the surge in oil prices threatens Ukraine’s position on the battlefield, especially because Western allies have not enforced effective price caps on Russian oil exports.
—Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
He was also accused of sending threatening messages to the woman.
—Bob Harkins, New York Times, 14 June 2025
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization claimed the site sustained only superficial damage and insisted there was no leak that threatened public health.
—Jesus Mesa
jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2025
Speaking to journalists Friday in Kyiv, Zelensky said the surge in oil prices threatens Ukraine’s position on the battlefield, especially because Western allies have not enforced effective price caps on Russian oil exports.
—Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
He was also accused of sending threatening messages to the woman.
—Bob Harkins, New York Times, 14 June 2025
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization claimed the site sustained only superficial damage and insisted there was no leak that threatened public health.
—Jesus Mesa
jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Verb
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The species is considered critically endangered due to its limited distribution and ongoing habitat threats.—
Real-Time news team,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
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Critics, including lawmakers from both parties, have warned that sharing pre-strike details on an unsecured app could have endangered U.S. pilots.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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One member of the pack menaced him with a knife while another flashed a gun, before some of the youths held him down and stole a sneaker off the victim’s foot before running away, according to police.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2025
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The first night, the characters are menaced by a bald hulk in overalls, wearing a clown mask with the mouth area (including his teeth) smashed in.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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