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
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
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
The Remote survey found that 75% of the respondents either have a second side hustle or have considered one to protect from threats of layoffs.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
The success of the nonprofit’s threat to discontinue animal-welfare services in San Diego may reflect the huge reserve of goodwill the Humane Society has built up over many decades.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025
Schools everywhere feel the threat, and hope to avoid the government’s scrutiny.
—John Branch, New York Times, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for threat
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Noun
If President Trump makes good on his threat to shift disaster response to the states, Florida and other states on the front lines of climate change will be the first to suffer.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
The Remote survey found that 75% of the respondents either have a second side hustle or have considered one to protect from threats of layoffs.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
The success of the nonprofit’s threat to discontinue animal-welfare services in San Diego may reflect the huge reserve of goodwill the Humane Society has built up over many decades.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025
Schools everywhere feel the threat, and hope to avoid the government’s scrutiny.
—John Branch, New York Times, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for threat
Cite this Entry
“Threat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threat. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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