threats
English meaning: Threats
Definition
An expression of intent to injure or punish another.
Example
“Habitat loss and poaching are among the biggest threats to the species.”
Another example: “The company received several anonymous threats after the announcement.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A plural noun for expressions of intended harm, or sources of danger. Common in security, law, conservation ('threats to wildlife'), and IT ('cyber threats'). Often paired with 'pose' ('pose a threat').
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'threat' (oppression, force, threat), from a Germanic root meaning 'to push, press', dating to before 900.
Synonyms
- dangers
- menaces
- hazards
- risks
- perils
Antonyms / Opposites
- safeguards
- protections
- assurances
Related Words
- poaching
- intimidation
- predation
- feral
- deforestation
- posed
- fragmentation
- invasive
- habitat
- degradation
Common Collocations
- pose a threat
- serious threats
- death threats
- security threats
- threats to wildlife
Word Forms
threat (sing.); threats (pl.); threaten (v); threatened; threatening
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B