threaten
Translation
to threaten, to menace
Examples
He threatened to call the police.
He threatened to call the police.
The dark clouds threaten rain.
The dark clouds threaten rain.
They threatened him with violence.
They threatened him with violence.
Grammar Patterns
to threaten ((to-inf)) to say that you will do (sth.) to harm sb. He threatened to call the police.
to threaten ((sb.)) to be a danger to (sb.) The gang threatened the shop owner.
to threaten ((sb.)) with ((sth.)) to menace (sb.) with (sth.) They threatened him with violence.
Similar Words
Synonyms: to menace, to intimidate, to warn
Etymology
From the noun 'threat' plus the verbal suffix '-en' (like in strengthen, lengthen).
Memory Tips
This is the action word for 'threat'. If someone gives you a 'threat', they 'threaten' you.