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Added 9 October 2026

threaten

/ˈθɹɛt.n̩/ verb

In Latin: minor, minitor Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about threaten at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To make a threat against someone; to use threats.
He threatened me with a knife.
To menace, or be dangerous.
The rocks threatened the ship's survival.
To portend, or give a warning of.
The black clouds threatened heavy rain.

Origin

From Middle English thretenen, from Old English þrēatnian (“to urge, force, compel”), equivalent to threat + -en.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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