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. To be close to equaling or surpassing (a record, etc.)

Concepts

threaten

menace

intimidate

frighten

endanger

scare

terrorize

threat

browbeat

warn

bully

loom

cow

terrify

imperil

jeopardize

coerce

jeopardise

peril

bellow

blame

scold

pressure

blackmail

extort

bluff

force

bawl

bluster

shout

darken

torment

overhang

beset

impend

intimidation

admonish

boom

exhort

howl

rage

rebuke

reprimand

reproach

reprove

roar

tell off

upbraid

minace

hang over

harass

pressurize

brandish

look as if

aggravate

challenge

find fault

take someone to task

exact

squeeze

compel

yell

speak in harsh tone

domineer

lour

lower

ramp

bluster out threats

denounce

rib

adjure

try to intimidate

drive off

horrify

hector

awe

bulldoze

haunt

drive

frighten someone

cause fear

bother

disturb

provoke

hold over

offer

terrorise

aim

assault

criticize

irritate

keep an eye on

point

spy

attack

scared

pull punch

pull punches

make shy

intimidate blackmail

afraid

alarmed

frightened

startle

jeopard

Hyphenated as

threat‧en

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈθɹɛt.n̩/

Etymology

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