Threaten Definition & Meaning

threaten
verb
  1. pose a threat to; present a danger to; "The pollution is endangering the crops"
  2. to utter intentions of injury or punishment against:"He threatened me when I tried to call the police"
  3. to be a menacing indication of something:"The clouds threaten rain"; "Danger threatens"

"Threaten" in song lyrics

See how threaten is used in real songs:

  • "My intellect will protect what you threaten"
    Poor Righteous Teachers f/ The Fugees — Allies
  • "The first chump to threaten"
    Trigger Tha Gambler f/ Smoothe Da Hustler — Brooklyn Language

Usage tips for "threaten"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "threaten" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for threaten to find words that pair well.

Use "threaten" in a verse

Now that you know what "threaten" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

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