Napoleon merely threatened, but Nero would have made good his threat; and in such a case there is surely some difference between words and deeds.

This prospect didn't merely threaten Ballmer's ambitions; it was a personal affront.

I should be glad, I supposed, that the overcast sky merely threatened rain.

He's merely threatening to provide what so many media Aristotles say the country needs: a change from good old reliable orthodox political-business-as-usual.

Terrorists can spread fear either by actually attacking or by merely threatening to.

More than merely threatening the longevity of Bolivia's government, the protesters have lent new energy to the discontent already percolating throughout the region.

The sultan merely threatened his freedom and life.

But whereas the creations of earlier inventors once merely threatened a village, after Hiroshima they endangered an entire world.

They might sometimes be able to migrate to new areas, but in so doing they would merely threaten the existence of the original inhabitants.

I merely threatened them with my penknife.