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.
Click here to go to the Word of the Day page. This page was first published on January 12, 2013. It was updated on January 23, 2017. |