Cool MateJeopardize vs Threaten
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Jeopardize
Threaten
| Jeopardize | Threaten | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈdʒɛpədaɪz//🇺🇸 //ˈdʒɛpərdaɪz// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈθretn/","/ˈθretnz/","/ˈθretnd/","/ˈθretnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈθretn/","/ˈθretnz/","/ˈθretnd/","/ˈθretnɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To put something at risk or make it vulnerable. | To say you will hurt someone or do something bad to them. |
| Example | His reckless driving could jeopardize the lives of others. | The bully would often threaten the younger kids at school. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | jeopardize safety, jeopardize chances, jeopardize interests | publicly, personally, physically, with, feel threatened, gravely, seriously, severely, could, appear to, seem to, be threatened with something, gravely, seriously, severely, could, appear to, seem to, be threatened with something |
| Antonyms | protect, safeguard, secure | protect, defend, support |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'jeopardy', which refers to risk but is a noun., Using it as an adjective instead of a verb., Incorrectly placing it as a noun. | Confusing it with 'threat,' which is a noun., Using 'threaten' with a preposition (e.g., 'threaten to someone' is incorrect)., Forgetting to use it in the right tense (e.g., 'He threaten yesterday' instead of 'He threatened yesterday'). |
| Usage notes | Use in contexts where someone's actions may endanger a situation, plan, or safety. Avoid in overly casual situations. | Use 'threaten' when discussing intentions to cause harm or trouble. It is appropriate in both serious and casual contexts, but be cautious in informal settings as it may sound aggressive. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Jeopardize vs Threaten
What's the difference between Jeopardize and Threaten?
Jeopardize: To put something at risk or make it vulnerable. Threaten: To say you will hurt someone or do something bad to them.
Which is more common: Jeopardize and Threaten?
Threaten is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Jeopardize and Threaten?
Threaten is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Jeopardize and Threaten the same CEFR level?
Jeopardize: B1, Threaten: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Jeopardize and Threaten?
Jeopardize: verb, Threaten: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Jeopardize: His reckless driving could jeopardize the lives of others. Threaten: The bully would often threaten the younger kids at school.
Can I use Jeopardize and Threaten interchangeably?
Not always. Jeopardize and Threaten are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.