<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object)<ul><li>to utter a threat against; menace: He threatened the boy with a beating</li><li>to be a menace or source of danger to: Sickness threatened her peace of mind</li><li>to offer (a punishment, injury, etc.) by way of a threat: They threatened swift retaliation</li><li>to give an ominous indication of: The clouds threaten rain</li></ul></li><li>(used without object)<ul><li>to utter or use threats</li><li>to indicate impending evil or mischief</li></ul></li></ul>