Synonyms for threaten

verb

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