Definition of "threaten" in English

verb

1. To make a threat against someone; to use threats.

   • He threatened me with a knife.

2. To menace, or be dangerous.

   • The rocks threatened the ship's survival.

3. To portend, or give a warning of.

   • The black clouds threatened heavy rain.

4. To call into question the validity of (a belief, idea, or viewpoint); to challenge.

   • The new information threatened our original hypothesis.

5. (figuratively) To be close to equaling or surpassing (a record, etc.)

   • The player quickly surmised that things weren't kosher and the suddenly wiser ballplayer threatened the world record for the fifty-yard dash as he sought safety. As Reynolds dived into the van, Dietz and the other players rolled with laughter.