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
Synonyms
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
USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
In the first inning, the Orioles posed an early threat with runners in scoring position.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2024
Right now, reefs in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans are all experiencing bleaching; many reefs face a truly existential threat.
—Justin Worland, TIME, 20 Apr. 2024
Officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department have given an all clear at the Louisville Zoo from any threat after zoo officials received a call about a bomb threat.
—The Courier-Journal, 19 Apr. 2024
Officials are concerned that people unfamiliar with the game may view an individual in a ski mask as a threat and take action.
—Jazmin Towe, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024
Just this week, police in Montgomery County, Md., arrested a transgender high-school student in connection with alleged threats to shoot up an elementary school.
—Wilfred Reilly, National Review, 19 Apr. 2024
Hessler said Turnage’s treatment of employees ranged from verbal abuse and inappropriate language to public scoldings and threats of physical violence.
—Molly Gibbs, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
Bowers is a dynamic pass-catching threat Denver lacked at the tight end position in 2023.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
Noun
In a joint investigation the Montgomery County Police Department and the FBI Baltimore Field Office found internet searches, drawings and documents that showed threats of mass violence towards Wootton High School and a local elementary school, police said.
—USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
In the first inning, the Orioles posed an early threat with runners in scoring position.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2024
Right now, reefs in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans are all experiencing bleaching; many reefs face a truly existential threat.
—Justin Worland, TIME, 20 Apr. 2024
Officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department have given an all clear at the Louisville Zoo from any threat after zoo officials received a call about a bomb threat.
—The Courier-Journal, 19 Apr. 2024
Officials are concerned that people unfamiliar with the game may view an individual in a ski mask as a threat and take action.
—Jazmin Towe, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024
Just this week, police in Montgomery County, Md., arrested a transgender high-school student in connection with alleged threats to shoot up an elementary school.
—Wilfred Reilly, National Review, 19 Apr. 2024
Hessler said Turnage’s treatment of employees ranged from verbal abuse and inappropriate language to public scoldings and threats of physical violence.
—Molly Gibbs, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
Bowers is a dynamic pass-catching threat Denver lacked at the tight end position in 2023.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'threat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near threat
Cite this Entry
“Threat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threat. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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