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.)

Opposite of

promise

Synonyms

menace

intimidate

frighten

endanger

scare

😨

terrorize

threat

browbeat

warn

bully

imperil

cow

🐮

terrify

jeopardize

loom

coerce

jeopardise

peril

force

blame

darken

blackmail

beset

impend

extort

bellow

bawl

torment

bluff

pressure

overhang

scold

intimidation

bluster

shout

domineer

disturb

denounce

assault

criticize

compel

alarmed

afraid

howl

horrify

hold over

haunt

challenge

harass

hang over

Translations

menacer

amenazar

minacciare

ameaçar

bedrohen

bedreigen

drohen

amenaçar

dreigen

απειλώ

androhen

φοβερίζω

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.