·vi To use threats, or menaces; also, to have a threatening appearance.
II. Threaten ·vt 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.
III. Threaten ·vt 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.