threaten

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb pose a threat to; present a danger to
  2. verb to utter intentions of injury or punishment against:
  3. verb to be a menacing indication of something:

Etymology

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

In classic literature

Synonyms

endanger, jeopardize, jeopardise, menace, imperil, peril

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