threatens; threatened; threatening
threatens; threatened; threatening
Learner's definition of THREATEN
1
[+ object] : to say that you will harm someone or do something unpleasant or unwanted especially in order to make someone do what you want威胁；扬言要… -
The mugger threatened him with a gun.抢劫犯用枪威胁他
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He threatened to tell their boss. = He threatened that he would tell their boss.他扬言要告诉老板。
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She threatened to quit if they didn't give her a raise, but no one believed her.她扬言说如果他们不给她加薪，她就辞职，但没人信她。
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He tried to get what he wanted by threatening people (with violence).他试图通过（暴力）威胁人们来得到他想要的。
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The workers have threatened to strike if their demands are not met. = The workers have threatened a strike if their demands are not met.工人们声称如果要求得不到满足，他们就罢工。
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The kidnapper threatened to kill her. = The kidnapper threatened her life.绑匪威胁要杀了她。
2
a : to be something that is likely to cause harm to (someone or something) : to be a threat to (someone or something)对…构成威胁；危及 [+ object]
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Civil war has been threatening the country for years.这个国家几年来一直面临着内战的威胁。
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a marriage threatened by financial problems受经济问题困扰的婚姻
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Overfishing threatens the survival of certain fish species.过度捕捞对某些鱼类的生存构成了威胁。
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She felt (emotionally) threatened by his friendships with female coworkers.他和女同事之间的友谊让她感觉（在情感上）受到了威胁。
[no object]
b —
used to say that something bad or harmful appears likely or possible预示…凶兆；可能引起（不利的事） [+ object]
[no object]
— threatening
/ˈθrɛtn̩ɪŋ/ adjective [more threatening; most threatening] — threateningly
/ˈθrɛtn̩ɪŋli/ adverb