1 [T] threaten sb (with sth);threaten (to do sth) to warn that you may hurt, kill or punish sb if he/she does not do what you want 威胁;恐吓:
The boy threatened him with a knife.那男孩用刀威胁他。She was threatened with dismissal.有人威胁要开除她。The man threatened to kill her if she didn't tell him where the money was.那个男人扬言,如果她不告诉他钱放在哪里,就把她杀死。
2 [I,T] to seem likely to do sth unpleasant 有可能做出令人不快的事 ·
The wind was threatening to destroy the bridge.风有可能吹倒那座桥。 ➔threateningadj➔threateninglyadv