Lexic.us

Definition of Threaten

1. Verb. Pose a threat to; present a danger to. "Sam cannot threaten Sue "; "The pollution is endangering the crops"

2. Verb. To utter intentions of injury or punishment against:. "Sam cannot threaten Sue "; "He threatened me when I tried to call the police"

3. Verb. To be a menacing indication of something:. "Danger threatens"

Definition of Threaten

1. v. t. To utter threats against; to menace; to inspire with apprehension; to alarm, or attempt to alarm, as with the promise of something evil or disagreeable; to warn.

2. v. i. To use threats, or menaces; also, to have a threatening appearance.

Definition of Threaten

1. Verb. To make a threat against someone; to use threats. ¹

2. Verb. To menace, or be dangerous. ¹

3. Verb. To portend, or give a warning. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Threaten

1. to be a source of danger to [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Threaten

threadsafe threadworm threadworms thready thready pulse threap threaped threaper threapers threaping

threapit threaps threaric acid threat threated threaten (current term) threatened threatened species threatener threateners

threatening threateningly threatenings threatens threatest threatful threatfully threating threatning

Literary usage of Threaten

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Dictionary of the English Language: In which the Words are Deduced from ...by Samuel Johnson by Samuel Johnson (1805)
"Though threaten d, which no worse than this can bring. Milton. ... Be stirring as the time ; be fire with fire ; threaten the ..."

2. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting (1892)
"It was opened by Professor CC Painter, of Washington, who read a paper on " Some Dangers which now threaten the Interests of the Indians. ..."

3. The woman in white by Wilkie Collins (1871)
"... you have gone already; compromise no serious interests; threaten nobody. Do not, I implore you, force me into action— ME, the Man of Action—when it is ..."

4. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, Henry Reeve (1900)
"WHAT ARE THE CHANCES IN FAVOR OF THE DURATION OF THE AMERICAN UNION, AND WHAT DANGERS threaten IT? Reason for which the preponderating force lies in the ..."

5. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville (1864)
"WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF DURATION OF THE AMERICAN UNION, AND WHAT DANGERS threaten IT. What makes the preponderant Foree lie in the States rather than in the ..."

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