Definition of THREAT

threat

Meanings

Plural: threats

Noun

  • something that is a source of danger
    • "earthquakes are a constant threat in Japan"
  • a warning that something unpleasant is imminent
    • "they were under threat of arrest"
  • declaration of an intention or a determination to inflict harm on another
    • "his threat to kill me was quite explicit"
  • a person who inspires fear or dread
  • An expression of intent to injure or punish another.
  • An indication of potential or imminent danger.
  • A person or object that is regarded as a danger; a menace.

Verb

  • To press; urge; compel.
  • To threaten.
  • To use threats; act or speak menacingly; threaten.

Origin / 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”), whence also Middle Low German drōt (“threat, menace, danger”), Middle High German drōz (“annoyance, disgust, horror, terror, fright”), Icelandic þraut (“struggle, labour, distress”), Russian труд (trud, “work, labour”), Polish trud (“hard work”), Latin trūdō (“push”, verb).

Antonyms

protection

Scrabble Score: 9

threat is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
threat is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
threat is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

threat is a valid Words With Friends word