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。 ➔threatening adj ➔threateningly adv