as in to endanger
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of threaten
But the loss of CPB funding threatens the financial stability of the local stations that carry these shows—particularly those in rural or underserved regions that have long depended on federal support to stay on the air.
—
Nik Popli, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
The judge said Peterson must stay at least 100 yards away from Pete and refrain from harassing, intimidating, or threatening her in any way until at least January 9, 2030.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
His charges include three instances of misdemeanors of battery, exhibiting a deadly weapon and threatening to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 21 July 2025
Aside from Apple and WhatsApp leading a legal challenge, other communications firms have threatened to leave the U.K. altogether if they are forced to break encryption.
—Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Nik Popli, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
The judge said Peterson must stay at least 100 yards away from Pete and refrain from harassing, intimidating, or threatening her in any way until at least January 9, 2030.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
His charges include three instances of misdemeanors of battery, exhibiting a deadly weapon and threatening to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 21 July 2025
Aside from Apple and WhatsApp leading a legal challenge, other communications firms have threatened to leave the U.K. altogether if they are forced to break encryption.
—Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Verb
-
Womack has been hit with multiple counts, including corrupt organizations, endangering the welfare of care, unlawful use of a computer, identity theft, forgery and theft by unlawful taking.—
Essence,
Essence,
25 July 2025
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Shannon Nicole Womack, 39, has been charged with crimes including forgery, identity theft, procurement fraud, unlawful use of a computer, theft by unlawful taking, and endangering the welfare of care, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
And that burgeoning population, menaced by poverty and the police, felt the city’s malignance.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 June 2025
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The August 2024 blaze forced some people to flee as the flames menaced their homes, witnesses told this news organization.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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