Word of the Day: Threat
Use the word “threat” whenever someone or something is about to cause harm.
These sentences show how “threat’ is used as a noun:
- Threats of violence did not stop the protestors from walking in the street.
- A gas leak in the neighborhood created a threat to public safety, so the area was evacuated.
- Smoking is a serious threat to your health.
- Global climate change is a threat that everyone must take seriously.
As a verb, the word changes to “threaten.”
| simple | past | past participle |
|---|---|---|
|
threaten
|
threatened
|
threatened
|
- Cold weather is threatening the citrus crop in California.
- A man threatened another man with a gun as they were driving on the highway.
- Bill always threatens to call the police whenever the kids across the street have big, loud parties.
- Several people in the building were threatened by the fire, but they all escaped uninjured.
- Are you threatening me? (This question is in the present continuous tense.)
As an adjective, use “threatening.”
- Someone sent the newspaper a threatening letter.
- A threatening snowstorm caused the airport to delay air traffic.
- The situation in Syria is so threatening, aid workers are afraid to enter certain areas.
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with T page to see the list of all words starting with letter T. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
