threaten
gb/θɹˈɛtən/ us/θɹˈɛtən/
B1
English
~ 1500
fenyeget, veszélyeztet
VERB
B1
1
fenyeget
B1
Usage pattern:
to threaten [someone/something] with [something]
He threatened to call the police if they didn’t leave.
Azzal fenyegetőzött, hogy hívja a rendőrséget, ha nem mennek el.
The company threatened legal action over the copyright violation.
A cég jogi lépésekkel fenyegetett a szerzői jog megsértése miatt.
She threatened him with a knife.
They threatened to cancel the event unless security was improved.
The government threatened sanctions against the country.
Learner examples
He threatened to hit me.
Azzal fenyegetett, hogy megüt.
The boss threatened to fire her.
A főnöke azzal fenyegette, hogy kirúgja.
She threatened him with a gun.
They threatened to stop the project.
He threatened to tell the teacher.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'threaten' with 'warn'. 'Warn' is to tell someone about danger to help them, while 'threaten' is to say you will cause the danger.
Meaning
State intent to harm
Collocations
threaten violence
|threaten legal action
|threaten someone with
|threaten to kill
|threaten sanctions
Synonyms
menace (Slightly more formal or literary term for making a threat.)
Antonyms
reassure (To comfort someone by removing fear or concern.)
Themes
crime
|conflict
|communication
|emotions
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say or show you will hurt someone or something.
To express an intention to cause harm, damage, or punishment to someone or something.
VERB
B1
2
veszélyeztet
B2
fenyeget
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] threatens [something]
Rising sea levels threaten coastal cities.
Az emelkedő tengerszint veszélyezteti a tengerparti városokat.
The disease threatens the lives of millions.
A betegség milliók életét veszélyezteti.
His reckless driving threatens everyone on the road.
The storm threatens to delay the flight.
Pollution threatens marine ecosystems.
Learner examples
The fire threatens the forest.
A tűz veszélyezteti az erdőt.
The storm threatens the town.
A vihar fenyegeti a várost.
The new law threatens small businesses.
The virus threatens many people.
The flood threatens the village.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning always involves a person speaking. Here it can be about things or situations causing danger without intent.
Meaning
Indicate possible danger
Collocations
threaten stability
|threaten survival
|threaten health
|threaten jobs
|threaten peace
Synonyms
endanger (Focuses on putting someone or something at risk rather than expressing intent.)
Antonyms
protect (To keep safe from harm or danger.)
Themes
nature
|risk
|safety
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To seem like it might cause harm soon.
To appear likely to cause harm, damage, or trouble in the near future.
Grammar
Dictionary form
threaten
IPA
GB/θɹˈɛtən/
US/θɹˈɛtən/
Syllables & stress
threaten (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (threaten)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: threaten
- 3rd Person Singular: threatens
- Present Participle: threatening
- Past: threatened
Word family
Forms
threatens
verb
threatening
verb
threatened
verb
Core family
threat
noun B1
Related words
threateningly
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unthreatening
adjective
Expressions
threaten someone with something
1/θɹˈɛtən sˈʌmwˌʌn wˈɪθ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Say you will harm using something
To say you will use something to hurt someone or cause trouble.
Examples
- He threatened her with a knife.
- The company threatened them with legal action.
threaten to do something
1/θɹˈɛtən tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Say you will do harm
To say you will do something bad if someone does not do what you want.
Examples
- She threatened to quit if her pay wasn’t increased.
- They threatened to call the police when he refused to leave.