What does “threat” mean?
- 1
nouna statement that someone will hurt you or cause trouble
He made threats against his neighbor.
- 2
nouna person or thing that may cause harm or danger
Pollution is a serious threat to wildlife.
Threat at a glance
- Part of speech
- noun
- CEFR level
- B2 (upper intermediate)
- Pronunciation
- /θrɛt/ · THRET
How to use “threat” correctly
The verb is “threaten”: “He threatened to quit.” Note the “ea” sounds like “e” in “bed”.
Common phrases with “threat”
- pose a threat
- a threat to sb/sth
- under threat
- serious threat
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- danger
- risk
- menace
Word family
- threaten
- threatening
“threat” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- administration nounB2the work of organizing and running a business, school or other organization
- agency nounB2a business that provides a service for other people or companies
- attorney nounB2a lawyer, especially one who speaks for someone in court
- authority nounB2the power to give orders or make decisions
- Congress nounB2the group of elected people who make laws in the US
- Democrat nounB2a member or supporter of the Democratic Party in the US
- institution nounB2a large, important organization such as a university, bank or hospital
- Republican nounB2a member or supporter of the Republican Party, one of the two main US political parties