Threat

/θɹɛt/ · noun

Meaning

An expression of intent to injure or punish another..

Definitions by Sense

1. An expression of intent to injure or punish another.
2. An indication of potential or imminent danger.
3. A person or object that is regarded as a danger; a menace.
4. (transitive) To press; urge; compel.
5. (transitive, archaic) To threaten.
6. (intransitive) To use threats; act or speak menacingly; threaten.

Example Sentences

There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats.

At the height of the crisis, according to a retired SAC wing commander, SAC airborne alert bombers deliberately flew past their turnaround points toward Soviet airspace, an unambiguous threat which Soviet radar operators would certainly have recognized and reported. "I knew what my target was," the SAC general adds: "Leningrad." The bombers only turned around when the Soviet freighters carrying missiles to Cuba stopped dead in the Atlantic.

Verifying and addressing actual threats is not paranoia.

Many genes with reproductive roles also have antibacterial and immune functions, which indicate that the threat of microbial attack on the sperm or egg may be a major influence on rapid evolution during reproduction.

Taiwan is monitoring what it called "abnormal" changes to China's military leadership after its most senior general was put under investigation, and will not lower its guard as the threat level remains high, the defence minister said on Monday.

Rooney's United team-mate Chris Smalling was given his debut at right-back and was able to adjust to the international stage in relatively relaxed fashion as Bulgaria barely posed a threat of any consequence.

Japan applauds NATO’s identification of China as a threat in the Strategic Concept. The document notes that China poses “systemic challenges” and declared the “deepening strategic partnership” between Moscow and Beijing as one of its main priorities. Significantly, it explained that developments in distant theaters can “directly affect” trans-Atlantic security.

An hideous Geant horrible and hye, / That with his talnesse seemd to threat the skye […]

Synonyms for threat

Antonyms for threat

Related Words

Word Forms

• threats
• threating
• threated

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions