The words "threaten" and "endanger" are often confused because they both suggest a negative outcome. However, there's a subtle but important difference. "Threaten" implies a warning or a promise of harm, often expressed verbally or through actions. "Endanger," on the other hand, refers to putting something or someone at risk of harm. Let's explore this further with examples.

Threaten:

• "He threatened to quit his job if he didn't get a raise." (Meaning: He warned his boss that he would quit unless he received a raise.)
• "The storm threatened to flood the coastal town." (Meaning: The storm posed a risk of flooding the town.)

Endanger:

• "Playing near the busy road endangers the children." (Meaning: Playing near the road puts the children at risk of harm.)
• "Pollution endangers the health of the ecosystem." (Meaning: Pollution puts the ecosystem's health at risk.)

Notice how "threaten" often involves a direct communication of harm, while "endanger" focuses on the risk itself, regardless of whether it's explicitly communicated. You can threaten someone without endangering them (e.g., an empty threat), and you can endanger someone without directly threatening them (e.g., leaving a child unattended near a busy road).

Here are some more example sentences:

• "The bully threatened to beat him up." (The bully warned the victim of physical harm.)
• "The wild animals endanger the hikers." (The wild animals pose a risk of harm to the hikers.)
• "The government threatened to impose sanctions." (The government warned of the imposition of penalties.)
• "Climate change endangers the polar bears' habitat." (Climate change puts the polar bears' habitat at risk.)

Understanding this nuance will help you choose the right word in your writing and speaking. Happy learning!