B2verbconflictenvironment
US/ˈθret.ən/
UK/ˈθret.ən/
to say you may harm someone, or to be likely to damage or destroy something
In context
The boss threatened to fire anyone who came in late.
Pollution threatens the fish that live in this river.
Dark clouds threatened rain, so we left the beach early.
Words that go with threaten
verb + preposition
- threaten to leaveShe threatened to leave the team if nothing changed.
- threaten someone withHe threatened the tenant with a court case.
- threaten the survival ofHunting threatens the survival of many species.
adverb + verb
- seriously threatenDrought seriously threatens the harvest.
- directly threatenThese rules directly threaten small shops.
verb + noun
- threaten peaceThe conflict could threaten peace in the region.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He threatened me that he would call the police.Correct: He threatened to call the police.