threatened

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "threatened" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of something being at risk of harm, or of some kind of danger. Example sentence: The endangered species was threatened by poachers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Environment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many of our citizens have been threatened and driven from their overseas homes by vicious mobs shouting "Death to America".

The New York Times

Related: Le Pen family feud is a battle for the soul of the Front National – and France In an interview with the centre-right Le Figaro newspaper on Monday, Le Pen, who had threatened to leave the political ring "only at the end of the bout, whether victor or vanquished", seemed almost conciliatory as he said he would withdraw his candidature to avoid further damage to the party.

The Guardian

One issue upon which they stuck fast - Grade apparently threatened to resign over it - was their opposition to "top-slicing" of the BBC licence fee.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The status of the African golden cat in the wild has never been rigorously assessed, but the species is increasingly threatened by habitat degradation, loss and fragmentation, and by unsustainable hunting," according to one study.

The Guardian

His production of Ben Jonson's The Devil Is an Ass applied the knife to yards of text, and his West Yorkshire Playhouse production of the children's classic Peter Pan was so dark and grim that one set of parents threatened to sue on the grounds that their child had been traumatised.

The Guardian

The visiting back four, however, were barely threatened by a disappointing PSG side in the first half on a mild Parisian night.

The Guardian - Sport

The police had been called to take her for an emergency psychiatric evaluation when she threatened a case worker, but the situation quickly escalated.

The Guardian

They would further allege that when the off-duty officer tried to intervene, he was "threatened by the man armed with the tyre lever".

The Guardian

In return the former leader has disowned Marine, threatened legal action and called for her to change her name.

The Guardian

Even the November nuclear deal in Geneva with the so-called P5+1 can be seen as enhancing Iran's regional status to the detriment of Saudi Arabia, which has threatened to distance itself from the United States over the apparent Washington-Tehran thaw.

The Guardian

For while Labour was wiped out by the SNP in Scotland, it lost to the Tories in the Midlands and south-east, and is threatened by Ukip in many of the towns of northern England.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, ensure that "threatened" is followed by a clear explanation of what poses the threat. For instance, "The company's profits were threatened by rising competition."

Common error

Avoid using "threatened" without specifying the source of the threat. Always clarify what or who is doing the threatening to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. Instead of 'The project was threatened', specify 'The project was threatened by budget cuts'.

Linguistic Context

The word "threatened" functions primarily as a past participle of the verb "threaten", often used in the passive voice to describe something being at risk. It can also function as an adjective, describing the state of being vulnerable or endangered. Ludwig examples support this usage, indicating its flexibility in different sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Environment

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "threatened" is a versatile term that commonly functions as a past participle or an adjective, signifying that something is at risk or in danger. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. Its usage spans from environmental concerns to financial risks, predominantly appearing in news and media, but also in scientific and formal writing. To enhance clarity, it's crucial to specify the source of the threat when using "threatened". Alternatives like "at risk", "in danger", and "endangered" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Using "threatened" effectively involves understanding its passive nature and ensuring the context clearly identifies the source and nature of the threat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at risk

Emphasizes the presence of potential danger or harm.

in danger

Highlights the imminence and severity of the risk.

endangered

Specifically denotes a risk of extinction, often used for species.

imperiled

A more formal term suggesting serious and imminent danger.

jeopardized

Indicates that something is put in a position of risk or loss.

vulnerable

Focuses on the susceptibility to harm or negative impact.

menaced

Implies the presence of a threatening force or influence.

in jeopardy

Similar to 'at risk', but often used in more formal contexts.

under threat

Emphasizes an ongoing state of potential harm or danger.

at stake

Highlights what could be lost if the threat materializes.

FAQs

How can I use "threatened" in a sentence?

"Threatened" can describe something at risk. For example, "The ancient forest is "threatened" by logging" or "The CEO "threatened" to resign.

What are some alternatives to saying "threatened"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "at risk", "in danger", or "endangered" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "something is threatened by"?

Yes, using "threatened by" is grammatically correct when you want to specify what is causing the threat. For example, "The coral reef is threatened by pollution".

What is the difference between "threatened" and "threatening"?

"Threatened" describes something that is at risk, while "threatening" describes something that poses a risk. For instance, "The species is threatened" versus "The poachers are threatening".