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 of threat

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

Only in the last few years has the world finally recognized the urgency of the threats coming from the digital information domain. —James P. Rubin, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025

But let’s face it, med spas also pose a threat to the lucrative nonsurgical and aesthetic arms of plastic surgeons’ and dermatologists’ practices. —Deanna Pai, Allure, 18 Nov. 2025

The threat prompted authorities to evacuate the lower and upper levels of Terminal 4 while deputies conducted a security sweep. —Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025

In the hours leading up to Lindner’s deadly confrontation with police, a 911 caller described him threatening construction workers with a knife and making threats to kill them. —David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Nov. 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