threat

noun

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\ ˈthret

Definition of threat

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

verb

threated; threating; threats

Definition of threat (Entry 2 of 2)

archaic

: threaten

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about threat

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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 Is the president under attack and Wonder Woman is trying to save him, but the Secret Service mistakes her as a threat? — Eliana Dockterman, Time, "Everything We Know About Wonder Woman 1984," 9 Dec. 2019 His work is popular with followers of QAnon, the pro-Trump conspiracy theory group that the FBI recently labeled as a domestic terrorism threat. — Seth Hettena, The New Republic, "The Man Behind the Right Wing’s Favorite Conspiracy Theories," 9 Dec. 2019 How Buttigieg handles the heat will be another measure of the durability of his improbable run, now that the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is seen as a serious threat to front-running candidates, especially in Iowa. — Thomas Beaumont, Indianapolis Star, "Facing new test, Pete Buttigieg pledges openness — with caution," 9 Dec. 2019 Putting it between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic would be seen by many as a threat to their Irishness, and could be attacked by smaller dissident republican groups that opposed the 1998 peace deal, police warn. — NBC News, "Northern Ireland: How Brexit and U.K. election unearthed old demons," 9 Dec. 2019 And where common action does occur, the guardians of the state immediately see it as a threat. — Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, "A Powerful Statement of Resistance from a College Student on Trial in Moscow," 7 Dec. 2019 All want to spread Shia influence across the region, and view the protests as a threat. — The Economist, "Elites backed by Iran are clinging to power in Iraq," 5 Dec. 2019 Washington — Attorney General William Barr is igniting fresh controversy with comments that some see as a threat to communities of color. — Jeff Pegues, CBS News, "William Barr says communities will not have "police protections" without respect for officers," 4 Dec. 2019 When Hunt won the Republican nomination in 1986, he was not seen as a threat to win the general election. — Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, "Alabama Bicentennial: 200 years of political scandals and scrapes," 4 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'threat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

12 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Threat.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threat?pronunciation&lang=en_us&file=threat01. Accessed 13 December 2019.

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More Definitions for threat

threat

noun