- present tense form of threaten (3rd person singular).
threatens
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Environmentalists and tourism operators oppose the project, warning it threatens Lamu’s fragile ecosystem and heritage status.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
Some have already taken the project to court, fearing their land rights will not be respected, while environmental organisations including Greenpeace argues the refinery "threatens to damage one of East Africa's most fragile coastal ecosystems".
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
That should help keep the pressure on bonds, as the Treasury yield curve threatens to invert once again.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026
It threatens the U.S., its allies and the civilized world more generally.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
When the hamper threatens to tumble out again, I kick it, and it bounces back like a punk, so I kick it harder—and my foot breaks a hole in the plastic.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
