This is the 2648th most frequent German word.
drohte
"Drohte" means "threatened" or "was threatening."
In this sentence, 'drohte' is used to mean 'threatened' in a direct confrontational sense, where the subject expresses an intent to cause harm or take decisive action against others.
Der König drohte seinen Gegnern mit Vergeltung.
The king threatened his opponents with retribution.
Here, 'drohte' conveys the sense of imminent danger posed by an external factor, specifically potential or impending harm.
Es drohte immer mehr Schaden durch das Unwetter.
More and more damage was threatened by the storm.
In this context, 'drohte' indicates an expressed intention to carry out an action as leverage or to compel compliance.