threaten

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To say that you will hurt or punish someone, especially to make them do what you want.

   He threatened me when I tried to call the police.

2. 2
   verb

   To be likely to cause harm or damage to something.

   Rising sea levels threaten many coastal cities.

3. 3
   verb

   To be a sign that something bad is about to happen.

   Dark clouds threatened heavy rain.

From Middle English thretenen, from Old English þrēatnian (“to urge, force, compel”), equivalent to threat + -en.

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