Threaten | Mean of threaten in English Dictionary

/ˈθrɛtn̩/

• Verb
• to say that you will harm someone or do something unpleasant or unwanted especially in order to make someone do what you want
1. The mugger threatened him with a gun.
2. He threatened to tell their boss. = He threatened that he would tell their boss.
3. She threatened to quit if they didn't give her a raise, but no one believed her.
4. He tried to get what he wanted by threatening people (with violence).
5. The workers have threatened to strike if their demands are not met. = The workers have threatened a strike if their demands are not met.
6. The kidnapper threatened to kill her. = The kidnapper threatened her life.
• to be something that is likely to cause harm to (someone or something)
1. Civil war has been threatening the country for years.
2. a marriage threatened by financial problems
3. Overfishing threatens the survival of certain fish species.
4. She felt (emotionally) threatened by his friendships with female coworkers.
5. Disaster threatens.