THREAT Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

threat

noun

ˈthret

Definition of threat

as in danger

something that may cause injury or harm terrorism is a threat to the safety of people everywhere

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of threat Rising premiums are not a side issue but a growing threat to the viability of multifamily housing. — Shimon Shkury, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Kumamoto was also involved in the response when asteroid 2024 YR4 briefly emerged as the most significant impact threat in modern history. — Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 30 June 2026 Indeed, protecting against that threat is helping fuel the rapidly expanding government-private sector partnership in surveillance technology development and acquisition, which poses a different risk – to privacy. — Anne Toomey McKenna, The Conversation, 30 June 2026 Like Alito’s paisanes, my Mexican family was also demonized for supposedly being insufficiently American and posing a threat to national unity. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for threat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threat

Noun

Bikes on streets without bike lanes are a danger to bike riders.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Riders, bicycle-makers, drivers, pedestrians and lawmakers need to have their heads on swivels, as some have been too complacent about the dangers.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of danger

Noun

Traditional studios might adopt Chinese models for some preproduction tasks such as concepting, but the geopolitical and intellectual property risks for commercial generations are too prohibitive.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Now in its 18th year, The Zac Foundation has provided free water safety camps to more than 25,000 kids in at-risk communities.

— Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Definition of risk

Noun

Such are the perils of popularity, all the more ironic because Oliver never intended to be a populist.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 July 2026
There are more questions than answers about the Celtics' side of this deal for now, but this past season should have taught everyone to underestimate them at your own peril.

— Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of peril

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thready

threat

threaten

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“Threat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threat. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of threat

noun

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