| 1. | to utter a threat against; menace: He threatened the boy with a beating. |
| 2. | to be a menace or source of danger to: Sickness threatened her peace of mind. |
| 3. | to offer (a punishment, injury, etc.) by way of a threat: They threatened swift retaliation. |
| 4. | to give an ominous indication of: The clouds threaten rain. |
| 5. | to utter or use threats. |
| 6. | to indicate impending evil or mischief. |