# threat

/ˈθɹɛt/ (US) · /θɹˈɛt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/threat
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. intent to harm

noun · CEFR B2

a statement or message saying that someone will hurt you or punish you if you do not do what they want.

For teachers: a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, or loss on someone in retaliation for or conditional upon some action or course.

- The company received a serious threat from a group of hackers yesterday.
- The anonymous caller issued a direct threat against the witness, warning of severe consequences if she chose to testify in court.

### 2. potential danger

noun · CEFR B2

the possibility that something very bad or dangerous will happen in the future.

For teachers: the state of being at risk; an indication of imminent danger or an undesirable future event.

- Rising sea levels are a major threat to many coastal cities.
- Economists warned that the sudden increase in oil prices posed a significant threat to the stability of the global recovery.

### 3. a dangerous person or thing

noun · CEFR B2

a person or thing that is likely to cause damage or trouble.

For teachers: a person, object, or force regarded as a source of danger or a menace.

- The escaped tiger was seen as a threat to the local village.
- The intelligence agency identified the rogue software as a persistent threat to national infrastructure security.

## Examples

- The dark clouds are a threat of rain.
- The company faced a serious threat from new competitors who offered much lower prices.
- While the immediate threat of a strike has passed, the underlying tension between the management and the workforce remains a significant hurdle for the upcoming fiscal year.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.