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
• menace
• risk
• peril

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

During the height of the civil rights era, the government often treated Black activism and urban unrest as a threat that needed to be contained. —Josiah Bates, Time, 14 Oct. 2025

These blooms release toxins that accumulate in the food chain, posing a threat to fish, land animals, and even humans. —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025

Even as federal funding for minority studies faces new threats, the hub stands as a commitment to representation, Santiago Ortiz said. —Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 14 Oct. 2025

What Happens Next NATO members have pledged to up their defense spending due to the threat posed by Russia. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 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

Rhymes for threat

• bet
• brett
• debt
• et
• fret
• get
• jet
• let
• lett
• met
• net
• nett

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