threaten
verb uk/ˈθret.ən/ us/ˈθret.ən/
B2 [ T ]威胁，恐吓;扬言要
to tell someone that you will kill or hurt them or cause problems if they do not do what you want
They threatened the shopkeeper with a gun. 他们用枪威胁店主。
[ + to infinitive ] They threatened to kill him unless he did as they asked. 他们威胁要杀他，除非他按他们说的去做。
C1 [ T ]威胁到;危害到
to be likely to cause harm or damage to something or someone
Changing patterns of agriculture are threatening the countryside. 农业模式的变化可能会对农村造成破坏。
C2 [ I ]预示凶兆;逼近
If something bad threatens to happen, it is likely to happen.
Look at those clouds! There's a storm threatening. 看那些云！暴风雨要来了。
- More examples
- Greenpeace works to promote awareness of the dangers that threaten our planet today.
- Britain threatened to break off diplomatic relations.
- A masked robber threatened the bank staff with a gun.
- They threatened to blow up the plane if their demands were not met.
- She's threatening to take me to court for not paying the bill on time.