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
Benji Jones, Vox, 2 July 2024
In an 8-1 ruling last month, the court found that the Second Amendment allows an individual who poses a credible threat to the safety of others to be banned from having firearms temporarily.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 2 July 2024
Fittingly, much of the initial federal funding will go toward training and research that will be key to building a coastline more resilient to the rising seas that are the biggest threat to South Florida.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 2 July 2024
The climate changes, storms get stronger The point here is not really to discuss the threat of Beryl to the United States, which at this point seems in the modest-to-minimal range.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for threat 
Noun
A number of human behaviors have destroyed Caribbean coral, from coastal construction to fishing, as have some seemingly natural threats, like disease.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 2 July 2024
In an 8-1 ruling last month, the court found that the Second Amendment allows an individual who poses a credible threat to the safety of others to be banned from having firearms temporarily.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 2 July 2024
Fittingly, much of the initial federal funding will go toward training and research that will be key to building a coastline more resilient to the rising seas that are the biggest threat to South Florida.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 2 July 2024
The climate changes, storms get stronger The point here is not really to discuss the threat of Beryl to the United States, which at this point seems in the modest-to-minimal range.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for threat
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 15 Jul. 2024.
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