\Threat"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Threatened}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Threatening}.] [OE. [thorn]retenen. See {Threat}, v.
t.]
1. To utter threats against; to menace; to inspire with
   apprehension; to alarm, or attempt to alarm, as with the
   promise of something evil or disagreeable; to warn.
         Let us straitly threaten them, that they speak
         henceforth to no man in this name.    --Acts iv. 17.
2. To exhibit the appearance of (something evil or
   unpleasant) as approaching; to indicate as impending; to
   announce the conditional infliction of; as, to threaten
   war; to threaten death. --Milton.
         The skies look grimly And threaten present blusters.
                                               --Shak.
Syn: To menace.
Usage: {Threaten}, {Menace}. Threaten is Anglo-Saxon, and
       menace is Latin. As often happens, the former is the
       more familiar term; the latter is more employed in
       formal style. We are threatened with a drought; the
       country is menaced with war.
             By turns put on the suppliant and the lord:
             Threatened this moment, and the next implored.
                                               --Prior.
             Of the sharp ax Regardless, that o'er his
             devoted head Hangs menacing.      --Somerville.

\Threat"en\, v. i.
To use threats, or menaces; also, to have a threatening
appearance.
      Though the seas threaten, they are merciful. --Shak.