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threaten

intermediateB1

/ˈθrɛtən/ · threat-en

To state one's intention to harm someone or something if certain conditions are not met.

Meanings

verbformal

To state one's intention to harm someone or something if certain conditions are not met.

کسی کو نقصان پہنچانے کا ارادہ ظاہر کرنا، اگر مخصوص شرائط پوری نہ کی جائیں۔

دھمکی دینا

dhamki dena

Synonyms

menaceintimidateprovokeدھمکاناڈراناخوف دلانا

Antonyms

reassurecomfortpeaceآرام دیناسکون دینانرم کرنا

Common Collocations

  • threaten with violence
  • threaten to expose
  • threaten legal action

Example Sentences

He threatened to call the police if they didn't leave.

اس نے دھمکی دی کہ اگر وہ نہیں گئے تو پولیس کو بلائے گا۔

Us ne dhamki di ke agar woh nahi gaye to police ko bulae ga.

The bully threatened the smaller kids during recess.

بدتمیز نے چھوٹے بچوں کو آرام کے وقت دھمکی دی۔

Badmaiz ne chhote bachon ko aaraam ke waqt dhamki di.

You can't threaten me, I'm not scared.

تم مجھے دھمکی نہیں دے سکتے، میں خوفزدہ نہیں ہوں۔

Tum mujhe dhamki nahi de sakte, mein khaufzada nahi hun.

Easily Confused With

threat:A 'threat' is the act or the statement expressing intention, while 'threaten' is the action of making that expression.

Word Family

threat
nounدھمکی
threatening
adjectiveدھمکتا ہوا
threatened
verbدھمکایا ہوا

See Also

💡 Memory Tip

Think of a 'threat' as a dark cloud looming that you want to avoid.

Imagine a person with a threatening posture, making others feel uneasy.

✍️ Urdu Poetry

دھمکیاں دیتے ہیں اپنے حوصلے سے کمزور، یہ کیا بات ہوئی؟

Dhamkiyan dete hain apne hosle se kamzor, yeh kya baat hui?

They threaten others who are weaker than themselves, what sense does this make?

Unknown, Unverified

* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.

🗣️ Urdu Proverb

جو ڈرتا ہے، وہ ہی دھمکی دیتا ہے۔

Jo darta hai, woh hi dhamki deta hai.

The one who is afraid is the one who threatens.

📖 Etymology

Origin: Old English "þrēat" — a threat or aggressive action

First known use: 15th century

The word 'threaten' has evolved from its Old English root, where it was used to denote warnings or aggressive intent.