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
Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
When your breathing slows, your body comes out of threat mode.
—Mónica Heras, Vogue, 30 Dec. 2025
At the helm is Iran’s ailing 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who spent decades trying to fortify his regime from domestic and foreign threats, but must now contend with a failing strategy.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
Airlines have emphasized that unusual odors do not always indicate a safety threat.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threat
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Noun
The mere threat of a billionaire tax landing on the California ballot in 2026 has already prompted some of the state’s ultra-wealthy to move their residences and assets elsewhere, according to one tax adviser.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
When your breathing slows, your body comes out of threat mode.
—Mónica Heras, Vogue, 30 Dec. 2025
At the helm is Iran’s ailing 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who spent decades trying to fortify his regime from domestic and foreign threats, but must now contend with a failing strategy.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
Airlines have emphasized that unusual odors do not always indicate a safety threat.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 2025.
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