THREAT Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

threat

noun

ˈthret

Definition of threat

as in danger

something that may cause injury or harm terrorism is a threat to the safety of people everywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of threat The Real Challenge The greatest threat to American higher education is not declining academic quality. — Scott White, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 The letter alleged that Abarca had targeted the women with further harassment and threats, creating a hostile work environment and threatening to force them out of their jobs after White was recalled. — Ilana Arougheti july 21, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026 The radar’s growing deployment comes as naval forces face increasingly complex threats that require faster detection and tracking. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026 Chuck sees its rapid spread as an existential threat to tennis, especially when pickleball advocate Skip (Patton Oswalt) starts angling to take up more of his courts. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for threat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threat

Noun

The alerts were lifted shortly after and the authorities did not specify the nature or source of the potential danger.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Trump seems aware of the danger, yet can't help himself from hurtling toward it.

— Matt Peterson, CNBC, 25 July 2026

Definition of danger

Noun

Former Vikings tight end Steve Jordan thought Ryan made quick work of former center Jeff Christy, a constant menace.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Priced from $41,520, the MT1 looks like something from the world of Japanese anime, with none of the militaristic menace of Tesla’s pickup.

— Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of menace

Noun

Despite the heightened risk, commercial traffic continues to transit steadily through the Red Sea and the Strait, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which provides maritime security warnings and incident updates.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Warned for decades Earthquake and engineering experts inside and outside of Venezuela had warned for decades about the country’s seismic risk and lobbied for earthquake-resistant construction practices.

— Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

Definition of risk

Browse Nearby Words

thready

threat

threaten

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Threat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threat. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of threat

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on threat

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

sultry

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes