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threat

1 of 2

noun

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

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
Residents and businesses across Chicago already face a high tax and fee burden and worry about shouldering more costs amid widespread economic uncertainty due to rising tariffs, persistent inflation, state and local budget deficits and unprecedented threats to critical federal funding. Jack Lavin, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025 In cybersecurity, while threats evolve, some core challenges remain unchanged. Darren Guccione, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 Trump's attempts to control the narrative of American history is not merely a threat to academic freedom, but also to the nation’s ability to confront its past and shape better policies for the future. Time, 20 May 2025 Brown was a lethal offensive threat in the Gladiators’ commanding 18-7 state semifinal win over Kent Island. Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Threat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threat. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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