threat

1 of 2

noun

ˈthret 

1

: an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage

2

: one that threatens

3

: an indication of something impending

the sky held a threat of rain

threat

2 of 2

verb

threated; threating; threats

archaic

: threaten

Synonyms

Noun

• danger
• hazard
• imminence
• menace
• peril
• pitfall
• risk
• trouble

Examples of threat in a Sentence

Noun

He was willing to use violence and threats to get what he wanted.

She ignored their threats and continued to do what she felt was right.

a country under threat of civil war

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As Elon Musk and his people weave their way through federal agencies, security experts warn that the team's wide-reaching access poses unprecedented risks — including potential data leaks, insider threats, and violations of federal security protocols. —Sam Sabin, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025

Court records are replete with judges sentencing people convicted of unquestionably violent crimes to decades in prison while proclaiming that the person before them is heartless, irredeemable, and will forever be a threat to society. —Steve Zeidman, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025

The needs in Myanmar are huge, aid workers say, where millions of people struggle with hunger, trauma and the constant threat of attacks. —Ivan Watson, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025

Zuhri warned that threats from U.S. officials would not alter Hamas's stance. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English thret coercion, threat, from Old English thrēat coercion; akin to Middle High German drōz annoyance, Latin trudere to push, thrust

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing threat

• bomb threat
• counter-threat
• empty threat
• idle threat
• triple threat
• under threat

Kids Definition

threat

noun

ˈthret

1

: an expression of an intent to do harm

stop making threats

2

: something that threatens

the volcano was a threat to the village

3

: an indication of something impending

the sky held a threat of rain

Legal Definition

threat

noun

: an expression of an intention to injure another : menace sense 1

criminal laws against making terroristic threats