threat

1 of 2

noun

ˈthret How to pronounce threat (audio)
Synonyms of threat
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

Relevance

Noun

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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
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.
Noun
The department later confirmed that the area was secure and that no further threat to the public remained. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 If the threat persists, the snake may bite its opponent, coil around it, and emit a foul-smelling secretion from its anal glands. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026 Sarah, one of the things that really surprised me about the Lilith doc was the bomb threats and the protests. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026 Billy McFatridge, 29, has been charged in a state district court in Travis County with making a terroristic threat against a public servant. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threat

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of threat was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing threat

Rhymes for threat

See All Rhymes for threat

Browse Nearby Words

threaper
threat
threaten
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Cite this Entry

“Threat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threat. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on threat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about threat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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