threatens

Jump To:

warn, pressure v.
endanger v.

VERB

warn, pressure

Synonyms

STRONGEST

intimidate menace scare

STRONG

abuse admonish augur blackmail bluster browbeat bully caution comminate cow enforce forebode forewarn fulminate growl portend presage pressurize scowl snarl spook terrorize torment

WEAK

flex muscles look daggers make threat push around shake fist at walk heavy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

assist help

STRONG

approve commend compliment defend flatter please praise

WEAK

alleviate guard protect relieve save

VERB

endanger

Synonyms

STRONGEST

imperil jeopardize warn

STRONG

advance approach brewing forebode foreshadow frighten impend loom overhang portend presage

WEAK

be dangerous be gathering be imminent be in the air be in the offing be on the horizon come on hang over put at risk put in jeopardy

Antonyms

WEAK

alleviate guard help protect relieve save

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

threatens

"Every major disaster threatens to erase years of development. And it forces a poor country to borrow money to repair damage it did not cause."

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

In a 2019 interview with Anderson Cooper, she observed, “He denies. He turns it around. He threatens, and he attacks.”

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026

A powerful El Niño threatens to disrupt coffee harvests around the world, adding to farmers’ already steep production costs.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026

The rapid spread threatens to eclipse the 2014-16 outbreak in West Africa that killed more than 11,000 people.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

After Llama’s mom threatens to destroy the whole internet.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

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