as in danger
something that may cause injury or harm
terrorism is a threat to the safety of people everywhere
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Recent Examples of threat
Among the biggest threats, Miller said, are scammers — criminals trying to trick you out of your money.
—
Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Trump’s threats of retaliation didn’t thwart the end result.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Conservation groups have been sounding alarms about potential threats to public lands.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
In the first six weeks of 2026, at least 77 people have died, and experts note that avalanche threats typically continue well into May.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threat
Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Trump’s threats of retaliation didn’t thwart the end result.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Conservation groups have been sounding alarms about potential threats to public lands.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
In the first six weeks of 2026, at least 77 people have died, and experts note that avalanche threats typically continue well into May.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threat
Noun
-
The firm ran ads warning of the dangers of marijuana during the weeks leading up to the vote on the Amendment 3, which won approval from 56% of Florida voters but failed to reach the 60% threshold needed to become law.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
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The scenes playing out in Minneapolis in recent weeks offer an object lesson in the dangers of federal overreach.—
Stephen Mihm,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The track, which thrums with delightful menace, blends Knocked Loose’s heavy riffs with Curry’s rapid-fire bars, deliciously denouncing group-think.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2026
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But the ability to beat back our more routine pathological menaces is a good indicator of the country’s ability to take on bigger, more virulent threats.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The risk remained even after researchers accounted for how closely people followed a healthy Mediterranean-style diet.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Of course, any intense media scrutiny risks being distracting, especially when it is not directly related to the work of the foundation.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The long-term potential as well as the perils of intimacy were central themes even in her debut novel, The Female of the Species (1987).—
Adelle Waldman,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
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The trek has had its perils, and local law enforcement officers have provided security.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threat. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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