threat

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A statement, sign, or indication that someone intends to cause harm, damage, or an unwanted outcome.

   Grammar: Plural is threats; often threat to do or threat of something.

   Patterns

   • make a threat
   • threat to do something
   • threat of something
   • empty threat

   He received a threat to reveal his private emails.

   The flood warning was a serious threat to the village.

   Her apology ended the threat of a lawsuit.

2. 2nouncountable

   A person or thing likely to cause danger, damage, or harm.

   Grammar: Usually singular with a: a threat to security; plural threats is common for many risks.

   Patterns

   • threat to security
   • pose a threat
   • under threat
   • constant threat

   Litter poses a threat to sea turtles.

   The old mine is under threat from flooding.

   Inflation remains a constant threat to savings.

Word forms

Common combinations

make a threat

The manager denied that anyone had made a threat.

pose a threat

Broken glass can pose a threat to cyclists.

security threat

The airport treats unattended bags as a security threat.

under threat

Several rare plants are under threat from construction.

Synonyms and how they differ

menace

Menace can be a warning or a source of danger and often sounds stronger than threat.

warning

A warning may be helpful or neutral; a threat promises harm.

danger

Danger is broader risk; threat often implies intention or likelihood of attack.

intimidation

Intimidation is the act of frightening someone into action, not only the statement of intent.

Opposites

Word family

threaten verb

To express intent to harm or to seem likely to cause harm.

threatening adjective

Expressing or suggesting a threat.

threateningly adverb

In a threatening manner.

Commonly confused: threat or treat?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “threat”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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