threaten

v.

1. To warn of punishment

   intimidate, menace, caution, admonish, hold over, scare, torment, push around, browbeat, forewarn, bully, terrorize, abuse, bluster, fulminate, look daggers, thunder against, bulldoze*, draw a gun on*, pull a gun on*, double the fist at*; see also frighten 1, abuse 1, warn.

   Antonyms help*, mollify*, placate. *

2. To impend

   endanger, be dangerous, be gathering, be in the offing, imperil, be brewing, be on the horizon, approach, come on, advance; see also frighten 1, loom 2.

   Antonyms happen*, seize*, overcome.

threaten implies a warning of impending punishment, danger, evil, etc. as by words, actions, events, conditions, or signs he threatened to retaliate, the clouds threaten rain; menace stresses the frightening or hostile character of that which threatens he menaced me with a revolver