threaten

Definitions

1. 1.2. To exhibit the appearance of (something evil or unpleasant) as approaching; to indicate as impending; to announce the conditional infliction of; as, to threaten war; to threaten death. Milton. The skies look grimly And threaten present blusters. Shak. -- Threaten, Menace. Threaten is Anglo-Saxon, and menace is Latin. As often happens, the former is the more familiar term; the latter is more employed in formal style. We are threatened with a drought; the country is menaced with war. By turns put on the suppliant and the lord: Threatened this moment, and the next implored. Prior. Of the sharp ax Regardless, that o'er his devoted head Hangs menacing. Somerville.
2. 2.To use threats, or menaces; also, to have a threatening appearance. Though the seas threaten, they are merciful. Shak.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "threaten" mean?
• What is another word for "threaten"?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is threaten.

• What is to use threats, or menaces; also, to have a threatening appearance. Though the seas threaten, they are merciful. Shak called?