threaten

Towards the end of his political career, a series of embarrassments - including an affair and allegations of ministerial impropriety - threatened to tarnish his salt-of-the-earth image.

He spent a significant chunk of his time on the campaign trail, griping about perceived unfair coverage from media outlets and threatening the press.

They even threatened to leave comedy — then, thankfully, didn’t.

In recent decades, the populations of many vulture species declined sharply and are now acutely threatened with extinction.

Then, the robbers would suddenly turn on their victims, brandishing a handgun, threatening them with physical force and demanding they get in the car, police said.