threat·en 
/ˈθrɛtn̩/ verb
threat·ens; threat·ened; threat·en·ing /ˈθrɛtn̩/ verb 1 [+ obj] : to say that you will harm someone or do something unpleasant or unwanted especially in order to make someone do what you want
▪ The mugger threatened him with a gun. ▪ He threatened to tell their boss. = He threatened that he would tell their boss. ▪ She threatened to quit if they didn't give her a raise, but no one believed her. ▪ He tried to get what he wanted by threatening people (with violence). ▪ The workers have threatened to strike if their demands are not met. = The workers have threatened a strike if their demands are not met. ▪ The kidnapper threatened to kill her. = The kidnapper threatened her life. 2 a : to be something that is likely to cause harm to (someone or something) : to be a threat to (someone or something) [+ obj] ▪ Civil war has been threatening the country for years. ▪ a marriage threatened by financial problems ▪ Overfishing threatens the survival of certain fish species. ▪ She felt (emotionally) threatened by his friendships with female coworkers. [no obj] ▪ Disaster threatens.
b — used to say that something bad or harmful appears likely or possible [+ obj] ▪ The clouds were threatening rain. [=the clouds made it appear that it was likely to rain] ▪ The latest news threatens trouble for the economy. [no obj] ▪ It looks like it's threatening to rain. [=it looks like it may rain]
▪ The mugger threatened him with a gun. ▪ He threatened to tell their boss. = He threatened that he would tell their boss. ▪ She threatened to quit if they didn't give her a raise, but no one believed her. ▪ He tried to get what he wanted by threatening people (with violence). ▪ The workers have threatened to strike if their demands are not met. = The workers have threatened a strike if their demands are not met. ▪ The kidnapper threatened to kill her. = The kidnapper threatened her life.
b — used to say that something bad or harmful appears likely or possible [+ obj] ▪ The clouds were threatening rain. [=the clouds made it appear that it was likely to rain] ▪ The latest news threatens trouble for the economy. [no obj] ▪ It looks like it's threatening to rain. [=it looks like it may rain]
— threat·en·ing /ˈθrɛtn̩ɪŋ/ adjective [more threatening; most threatening]
▪ a threatening comment ▪ threatening clouds ▪ I find your competitiveness a little threatening.
/ˈθrɛtn̩ɪŋ/ adjective [more threatening; most threatening] ▪ a threatening comment ▪ threatening clouds ▪ I find your competitiveness a little threatening.
— threat·en·ing·ly /ˈθrɛtn̩ɪŋli/ adverb
▪ The sky darkened threateningly.
/ˈθrɛtn̩ɪŋli/ adverb ▪ The sky darkened threateningly.
