English verb: threaten | |||
1. | threaten (stative) pose a threat to; present a danger to | ||
Samples | The pollution is endangering the crops. | ||
Synonyms | endanger, imperil, jeopardise, jeopardize, menace, peril | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s somebody. Something ----s something. Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE | ||
Broader (hypernym) | be, exist | ||
2. | threaten (communication) to utter intentions of injury or punishment against: | ||
Samples | He threatened me when I tried to call the police. | ||
Examples | Sam cannot threaten Sue | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s somebody. Something ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody with something. Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE | ||
Broader (hypernym) | warn | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | offer | ||
3. | threaten (communication) to be a menacing indication of something: | ||
Samples | The clouds threaten rain. Danger threatens. | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | augur, auspicate, betoken, bode, forecast, foreshadow, foretell, omen, portend, predict, prefigure, presage, prognosticate | ||