threat
//θɹɛt//
Forms
- Plural
- threats
- present (v1)
- threat
- past (v2)
- threated
- past participle (v3)
- threated
- present participle
- threating
- 3rd person singular
- threats
Definitions
1.An expression of intent to injure or punish another.
- There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats.
2.An indication of potential or imminent danger.
- Verifying and addressing actual threats is not paranoia.
- Many genes with reproductive roles also have antibacterial and immune functions, which indicate that the threat of microbial attack on the sperm or egg may be a major influence on rapid evolution during reproduction.
3.A person or object that is regarded as a danger; a menace.
- Rooney's United team-mate Chris Smalling was given his debut at right-back and was able to adjust to the international stage in relatively relaxed fashion as Bulgaria barely posed a threat of any consequence.
1.To press; urge; compel.
2.To use threats; act or speak menacingly; threaten.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1132
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Word family
Etymology
From Middle English threte, thret, thrat, thræt, threat, from Old English þrēat (“crowd, swarm, troop, army, press; pressure, trouble, calamity, oppression, force, violence, threat”), from Proto-Germanic *þrautaz, closely tied to Proto-Germanic *þrautą (“displeasure, complaint, grievance, labour, toil”), from Proto-Indo-European *trewd- (“to squeeze, push, press”).