threaten

Meaning

1. To make a threat against someone; to use threats.
2. To menace, or be dangerous.
3. To portend, or give a warning of.
4. To call into question the validity of (a belief, idea, or viewpoint); to challenge.
5. (figuratively) To be close to equaling or surpassing (a record, etc.)

Synonyms

menace

intimidate

frighten

endanger

terrorize

scare

😨

threat

warn

browbeat

bully

cow

🐮

imperil

terrify

jeopardize

loom

coerce

peril

jeopardise

scold

impend

torment

bluster

beset

bellow

blame

darken

extort

overhang

force

pressure

intimidation

blackmail

bawl

bluff

shout

lower

minace

offer

point

pressurize

provoke

rage

😡

ramp

rebuke

reprimand

reproach

reprove

rib

roar

scared

spy

squeeze

startle

tell off

terrorise

look as if

take someone to task

upbraid

yell

cause fear

hector

make shy

pull punches

frighten someone

speak in harsh tone

bluster out threats

try to intimidate

intimidate blackmail

adjure

pull punch

admonish

afraid

aggravate

aim

alarmed

assault

attack

👊

awe

boom

💥

bother

brandish

bulldoze

challenge

compel

criticize

denounce

disturb

domineer

drive

drive off

exact

exhort

find fault

frightened

hang over

harass

haunt

hold over

horrify

howl

irritate

jeopard

keep an eye on

lour

Translations

menacer

amenazar

minacciare

bedrohen

drohen

bedreigen

dreigen

androhen

einschüchtern

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈθɹɛt.n̩/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: thretenen

Inherited from Old English: þrēatnian

In summary

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