# threaten

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈθɹɛt.n̩/ · frequency rank #7,861

## Definitions
1. To make a threat against someone; to use threats.
2. To menace, or be dangerous.
3. To portend, or give a warning of.
4. To call into question the validity of (a belief, idea, or viewpoint); to challenge.
5. To be close to equaling or surpassing (a record, etc.); to challenge.

## Etymology
From Middle English thretenen, from Old English þrēatnian (“to urge, force, compel”), equivalent to threat + -en.

## Easily confused with
- **treated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/threaten-vs-treated)
- **threats** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/threaten-vs-threats)
- **throated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/threaten-vs-throated)
- **threatened** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/threaten-vs-threatened)
- **threat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/threat-vs-threaten)
- **theater** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/theater-vs-threaten)
- **threaded** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/threaded-vs-threaten)

## Common misspellings (12)
`htreaten`, `theraten`, `thhreaten`, `thraeten`, `threaetn`, `threatenn`, `threatne`, `threatten`, `thretaen`, `thrreaten`, `trheaten`, `tthreaten`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/threaten