Threatened: meaning, definitions and examples

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threatened

 

[ ˈθrɛt(ə)nd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

feeling of danger

To express a strong feeling that something bad will happen, often making someone feel afraid or in danger.

Synonyms

bully, intimidate, menace

Examples of usage

  • She felt threatened by his aggressive behavior.
  • The witness claimed to have been threatened by the suspect.
Context #2 | Verb

endangered

To be in a situation where harm or danger is likely to happen, putting one's safety at risk.

Synonyms

endanger, imperil, jeopardize

Examples of usage

  • The species is threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction.
  • The heavy rainfall threatened the stability of the old building.
Context #3 | Verb

warn of harm

To communicate a potential danger or harm that may occur in the future.

Synonyms

caution, forewarn, warn

Examples of usage

  • The weather forecast threatened a severe storm approaching.
  • The teacher threatened detention if the students did not complete their assignments.

Translations

Translations of the word "threatened" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ameaçado

🇮🇳 धमकी दी गई

🇩🇪 bedroht

🇮🇩 terancam

🇺🇦 погрожували

🇵🇱 zagrożony

🇯🇵 脅かされた

🇫🇷 menacé

🇪🇸 amenazado

🇹🇷 tehdit edildi

🇰🇷 위협받는

🇸🇦 مهدد

🇨🇿 ohrožený

🇸🇰 ohrozený

🇨🇳 受到威胁的

🇸🇮 ogrožen

🇮🇸 ógnað

🇰🇿 қорқытылған

🇬🇪 დემობილი

🇦🇿 təhdid edilib

🇲🇽 amenazado

Word origin

The word 'threatened' originates from the Old English word 'þreatian', meaning 'to menace, impose, force, or threaten'. Over time, the word evolved to its current usage in the English language, expressing the sense of danger or harm. The concept of threat has been present throughout human history, playing a crucial role in various aspects of society, from warfare to personal safety.

See also: threat, threaten, threatening.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,390, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.