threat´en|ing|ly

threat´en|ing|ly
threat|en «THEHT uhn», transitive verb.
1. to make a threat against; say what will be done to hurt or punish: »

to threaten a person with imprisonment. The farmer threatened to shoot any dog that killed one of his sheep.

2. Figurative. to give warning of (coming trouble); be a sign of (possible evil or harm): »

Black clouds threaten a storm.

SYNONYM(S): portend, presage, forebode, augur.
3. Figurative. to be a cause or source of possible evil or harm to: »

A flood threatened the city.

–v.i.
1. to be or pose a threat.
2. to say threats: »

She threatens and scolds too much. Do you mean to threaten?

3. to allow oneself to be threatened: »

Say what you will, I don't threaten easily.

╂[Old English thrēatnian press; urge on; afflict < thrēat; see etym. under threat (Cf. ↑threat)]
–threat´en|er, noun.
–threat´en|ing|ly, adverb.
Synonym Study transitive verb. 1 Threaten, menace mean to indicate the intention of harming someone. Threaten applies when one is trying to force someone to do (or not to do) something and warns him of the consequences if he does not obey: »

The robber threatened to gag her if she screamed.

Menace applies when one tries to frighten someone by means of a look, movement, or weapon: »

He menaced her with a gun.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • threat´en|er — threat|en «THEHT uhn», transitive verb. 1. to make a threat against; say what will be done to hurt or punish: »to threaten a person with imprisonment. The farmer threatened to shoot any dog that killed one of his sheep. 2. Figurative. to give… …   Useful english dictionary

  • threat|en — «THEHT uhn», transitive verb. 1. to make a threat against; say what will be done to hurt or punish: »to threaten a person with imprisonment. The farmer threatened to shoot any dog that killed one of his sheep. 2. Figurative. to give warning of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • threat — threat·en; threat·en·er; threat·en·ing·ly; threat·ful; threat; threat·ful·ly; …   English syllables

  • life-threat·en·ing — …   Useful english dictionary

  • non·threat·en·ing — /nɑnˈθrɛtnıŋ/ adj : not likely to cause someone to be afraid or worried : not threatening It s best to approach the dog in a calm, nonthreatening way …   Useful english dictionary

  • men´ac|ing|ly — men|ace «MEHN ihs», noun, verb, aced, ac|ing. –n. something that threatens; threat: »In dry weather, forest fires are a great menace. A whispering menace that chilled brain and blood (Walter de la Mare). –v.t. to threaten: »Floods menaced the… …   Useful english dictionary

  • threateningly — threat·en·ing·ly …   English syllables

  • threatening — threat|en|ing [ θretnıŋ ] adjective 1. ) showing or saying that someone is likely to do something that will harm you: She s been receiving threatening phone calls. a threatening look Don t forget , he said in a low threatening voice. 2. )… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • threatening — threat•en•ing [[t]ˈθrɛt n ɪŋ[/t]] adj. 1) tending or intended to menace: threatening gestures[/ex] 2) ominous: threatening clouds[/ex] threat′en•ing•ly, adv. syn: See ominous …   From formal English to slang

  • threatening — threat|en|ing [ˈθretn ıŋ] adj 1.) if someone s behaviour is threatening, you believe they intend to harm you ▪ His voice sounded threatening. ▪ a threatening gesture 2.) if the sky or clouds are threatening, bad weather is likely ▪ a threatening… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”