as in to endanger
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline
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Recent Examples of threaten
The lava didn't threaten communities nearby, but the U.S. Geological Survey said volcanic gas and strands of volcanic glass known as Pele's hair can affect residents and visitors nearby.
—
Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
The recklessness and contempt with which DOGE personnel are rampaging through the federal government threatens a wide range of security interests, privacy controls, and government services.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
But the plan is thwarted when a plot to destroy Ross’s legacy threatens to wreak havoc and create global destruction.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 14 Feb. 2025
Trump has been threatening and trying to intimidate news outlets, and his FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, has opened investigations into broadcast networks including CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS and NPR.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for threaten 
Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
The recklessness and contempt with which DOGE personnel are rampaging through the federal government threatens a wide range of security interests, privacy controls, and government services.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
But the plan is thwarted when a plot to destroy Ross’s legacy threatens to wreak havoc and create global destruction.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 14 Feb. 2025
Trump has been threatening and trying to intimidate news outlets, and his FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, has opened investigations into broadcast networks including CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS and NPR.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for threaten
Thesaurus Entries Near threaten
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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