threaten

A verb used to indicate the act of expressing an intention to inflict harm, pain, or punishment, or to indicate something that is likely to cause danger or harm.

ruГлагол, используемый для обозначения действия, выражающего намерение причинить вред, боль или наказание, или указывающий на то, что может вызвать опасность или вред.esVerbo que expresa la intención de causar daño, dolor o castigo a alguien, o que indica que algo puede suponer un peligro o producir un efecto negativo.frVerbe utilisé pour exprimer l'intention de causer un préjudice, une douleur ou une punition, ou pour indiquer qu'une chose peut présenter un danger ou un risque.deVerb, das ausdrückt, dass jemand beabsichtigt, Schaden, Schmerz oder Strafe zuzufügen, oder das anzeigt, dass Gefahr oder Schaden droht.ptVerbo usado para indicar a ação de manifestar intenção de causar dano, dor ou castigo, ou que algo pode causar perigo ou prejuízo.zh表示意图伤害、惩罚或用言语行为恐吓他人，也可指某事物预示危险或带来威胁。arفعل يدل على التهديد بإيذاء شخص أو إلحاق الضرر به، أو الإنذار بوقوع خطر أو شر، أو الإيذان بحدوث شيء سيئ.

1. Express intention to harm B1 formal

   To state an intention to cause harm, injury, or damage to someone or something.

   • The robber threatened the cashier with a gun.
   • He threatened to call the police if they didn't leave.
   • She threatened legal action against the company.

   ruУгрожатьesAmenazarfrmenacerdeDrohenptAmeaçarzh威胁arالتهديد

   Синонимы: browbeatbullycowintimidatemenace

2. Be a danger to B1 formal

   To be likely to cause harm or danger to something.

   • Pollution threatens the survival of many species.
   • The storm threatens to destroy the coastal villages.
   • Economic instability threatens the country's growth.

   ruУгрожатьesamenazarfrmenacer (être un danger pour)deBedrohung darstellenptAmeaçarzh威胁arيهدد

   Синонимы: compromiseendangerhazardimperiljeopardizemenace

   Антонимы: guardprotectsafeguardshield

3. Indicate something unpleasant B2 formal

   To give warning of something unpleasant or undesirable.

   • Dark clouds threatened rain all afternoon.
   • The building threatened to collapse after the earthquake.
   • His tone threatened an argument.

   ruГрозитьesamenazar con algo desagradablefrmenacer (annoncer quelque chose de désagréable)deDrohenptAmeaçarzh预示不祥arينذر

   Синонимы: augurbetokenforebodeforeshadowmenaceportendpresagesignal

   Антонимы: comfortconsolereassure

• threatened past participle
• threatened past simple
• threatening present participle
• threatens third person singular