A threatto a person or thing is a danger that something unpleasant might happen to them. A threat is also the cause of this danger.
Some couples see single people as a threat to their relationships. [+ to]
The Hurricane Center warns people not to take the threat of tropical storms lightly. [+ of]
All countries in the region had the right to protect themselves against externalthreat.
[Also + from]
2. countable noun [oft NOUN to-infinitive]
A threat is a statement by someone that they will do something unpleasant, especially if you do not do what they want.
He may be forced to carry out his threat to resign.
The writer remains in hiding after threats by former officials of the ousted dictatorship. [+ by]
The last journalist to interview him received a death threat.
Synonyms: threatening remark, menace, commination, intimidatory remark More Synonyms of threat
3.
See under threat
More Synonyms of threat
threat in British English
(θrɛt)
noun
1.
a declaration of the intention to inflict harm, pain, or misery
2.
an indication of imminent harm, danger, or pain
3.
a person or thing that is regarded as dangerous or likely to inflict pain or misery
verb
4. an archaic word for threaten
Word origin
Old English; related to Old Norse thraut, Middle Low German drōt
threat in American English
(θrɛt)
noun
1.
an expression of intention to hurt, destroy, punish, etc., as in retaliation or intimidation
2.
a.
an indication of imminent danger, harm, evil, etc.
the threat of war
b.
a potential source of this
verb transitive, verb intransitive
3. Obsolete
threaten
Word origin
ME threte < OE threat, a throng, painful pressure, akin to Ger (ver)driessen, to grieve, annoy < IE *treud-, to push, press (prob. < base *ter-, to rub) > L trudere, to thrust
Examples of 'threat' in a sentence
threat
We played some great stuff and looked to have a real threat all over the park.
The Sun (2016)
Within hours she had received death threats on social media.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But this isn’t the first time a world leader constructed a wall between himself and those he deemed imminent threats.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
There is also the threat of chemical weapons, which it has used in the past.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The report lists the 10 most likely threat scenarios that organisations face in the future.
Computing (2010)
As a team we are a dangerous threat and we have to make sure we are mentally right coming to the next two games.
The Sun (2016)
The main risk is that landslides caused by torrential rain could really pose a threat to people, particularly in the rural areas.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They cope calmly with stressful situations as though there were no real threat.
Chaitow, Leon The Beat Fatigue Workbook - how to identify the causes (1988)
The tone of imminent threat is crucial to the book but too often feels histrionic.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This is a threat to human rights.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They are a major threat to the people of this country.
The Sun (2014)
You must be able to do both as they may be equal threats.
The Sun (2015)
What are the big threats to religious freedom?
Christianity Today (2000)
Everything about the painting conveys the threat of chaotic danger.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Through today and tomorrow there will be some sunshine but also the threat of showers.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That threat alone would likely make them polish up their specs more carefully.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Sending a bullying death threat to a young mum who dared to criticise him.
The Sun (2010)
But that is unlikely to assuage fear of an external threat.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He was a real threat and dangerous.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The growth of organised crime has made interference with juries an increasingly serious threat to justice.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The winger was a real threat all match.
The Sun (2012)
The definitive insolvency of the country now is an imminent threat.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Always a threat down the right flank.
The Sun (2013)
It means people who are genuine terror threats may have been issued uniforms.
The Sun (2012)
There was a bigger threat in front of goal.
The Sun (2014)
Resolution could carry out its threat.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Firstly, a long supply line, which did not appear to be under great threat.
Admiral Sandy Woodward, With Patrick Robinson ONE HUNDRED DAYS (2003)
It is easy to see him as a cynical and cunning threat who could harm himself and others, and who could potentially inspire others like him.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
threat
British English: threat /θrɛt/ NOUN
A threat to someone or something is a danger that something unpleasant might happen to them.
They saw her as a threat to their relationship.
American English: threat
Arabic: تَهْدِيد
Brazilian Portuguese: ameaça
Chinese: 威胁
Croatian: prijetnja
Czech: hrozba
Danish: trussel
Dutch: dreigement
European Spanish: amenaza
Finnish: uhka
French: menace
German: Drohung
Greek: απειλή
Italian: minaccia
Japanese: 脅し
Korean: 위협
Norwegian: trussel
Polish: groźba
European Portuguese: ameaça
Romanian: amenințare
Russian: угроза
Latin American Spanish: amenaza
Swedish: hot
Thai: การขู่เข็ญ
Turkish: tehdit
Ukrainian: загроза
Vietnamese: mối đe dọa
Chinese translation of 'threat'
threat
(θrɛt)
n(c/u)
威胁(脅) (wēixié) (个(個), gè)
to make a threat (against sb)威胁(脅)(某人) (wēixié (mǒurén))
to be under threat (of/from sth)受到(某物的)威胁(脅) (shòudào (mǒuwù de) wēixié)
a threat to sth对(對)某物的威胁(脅) (duì mǒuwù de wēixié)
1 (noun)
Definition
a person or thing that is regarded as dangerous and likely to inflict harm
the threat of tropical storms
Synonyms
danger
These roads are a danger to cyclists.
risk
He would not put their lives at risk.
hazard
a sole that reduces the hazard of slipping on slick surfaces
menace
In my view you are a menace to the public.
peril
sailors in peril on the sea
2 (noun)
Definition
a declaration of an intention to inflict harm
He may be forced to carry out his threat to resign.
Synonyms
threatening remark
menace
a pervading sense of menace
commination
intimidatory remark
3 (noun)
Definition
a strong possibility of something dangerous or unpleasant happening
The company was reprieved from the threat of closure.
Synonyms
possibility
There is still a possibility of unrest in the country.
prospect
There is little prospect of having these questions answered.
likelihood
The likelihood is that people would be willing to pay.
chance
This partnership has a good chance of success.
risk
There is a small risk of brain damage.
danger
There is a real danger that people will not be able to afford insurance.
probability
the probability of life on other planets
4 (noun)
The people who lived there felt a permanent sense of threat.
Synonyms
warning
She came into my room without warning.
foreshadowing
foreboding
No one paid any attention to their gloomy forebodings.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of chance
Definition
the extent to which something is likely to happen
This partnership has a good chance of success.
Synonyms
probability,
odds,
possibility,
prospect,
liability,
likelihood
in the sense of foreboding
No one paid any attention to their gloomy forebodings.
Synonyms
omen,
warning,
prediction,
portent,
sign,
token,
foreshadowing,
presage,
prognostication,
augury,
foretoken
in the sense of hazard
Definition
risk or likelihood of injury, loss, etc.
a sole that reduces the hazard of slipping on slick surfaces
Synonyms
danger,
risk,
threat,
problem,
menace,
peril,
jeopardy,
pitfall,
endangerment,
imperilment
Synonyms of 'threat'
threat
Explore 'threat' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of likelihood
Definition
chance
The likelihood is that people would be willing to pay.
Synonyms
probability,
chance,
possibility,
prospect,
liability,
good chance,
strong possibility,
reasonableness,
likeliness
in the sense of menace
Definition
a threat
In my view you are a menace to the public.
Synonyms
danger,
risk,
threat,
hazard,
peril,
jeopardy
in the sense of menace
Definition
a threat
a pervading sense of menace
Synonyms
threat,
warning,
intimidation,
ill-omen,
ominousness,
commination
in the sense of peril
Definition
great danger or jeopardy
sailors in peril on the sea
Synonyms
danger,
risk,
threat,
hazard,
menace,
jeopardy,
perilousness
in the sense of probability
Definition
a measure of the likelihood of an event happening
the probability of life on other planets
Synonyms
chance,
odds,
possibility,
likelihood
in the sense of prospect
There is little prospect of having these questions answered.
Synonyms
likelihood,
chance,
possibility,
plan,
hope,
promise,
proposal,
odds,
expectation,
probability,
anticipation,
presumption
in the sense of risk
He would not put their lives at risk.
Synonyms
peril,
threat,
danger,
hazard,
menace,
jeopardy
in the sense of risk
Definition
the possibility of bringing about misfortune or loss