empty threat
Bark without bite
An empty threat is a warning of consequences the speaker has no intention or ability to carry out.
The threat sounds serious but lacks substance: His threats to quit were empty—he needed the job too much.
Parents who don't follow through teach children that their warnings are empty threats.
Having no teeth
- meaninglessLacking significance or purpose
- baselessLacking factual support
- vacuousEmpty of content
- insubstantialLacking physical or material substance
impotent · ineffectual · futile · powerless · weak · unenforceable · nonbinding · idle
Loud, empty boasting
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- charadeAbsurd or obvious pretense
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
smokescreen · ruse · gambit · subterfuge · trickery · falsehood · mislead · hollow promise
Threatening show of military might
- chest-thumpingShowy, aggressive boasting
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
bravado · swagger · bombast · tough talk · provocation · taunting · machismo · aggression
Persistent apprehensive distress
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
unease · panic · worry · concern · foreboding · misgiving · jitters · nervousness
toothless
Having no teeth
- meaninglessLacking significance or purpose
- baselessLacking factual support
- vacuousEmpty of content
insubstantial · impotent · ineffectual · futile · powerless · weak · unenforceable · nonbinding · idle · groundless
bluster
Loud, empty boasting
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- charadeAbsurd or obvious pretense
pretense · smokescreen · ruse · gambit · subterfuge · trickery · falsehood · mislead · hollow promise · false alarm
saber-rattling
Threatening show of military might
- chest-thumpingShowy, aggressive boasting
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
coercion · bravado · swagger · bombast · tough talk · provocation · taunting · machismo · aggression · dominance display
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
trepidation · unease · panic · worry · concern · foreboding · misgiving · jitters · nervousness · overreaction
- manipulation tacticsgaslighting, guilt trip, guilt-tripping, guilt tripping, emotional blackmail
- Empty Gestureslip service, crocodile tears, token effort, going through motions, rubber stamp
empty threatcredible threat
Harm that seems likely
imminent threat · existential threat · ultimatum · promise · death threat
empty threatfait accompli
Irreversible completed action
action · deed · follow-through
empty, threat, emptied, empties, emptying, emptiness, threaten, threatened, threatening