threats

IPA/θret/
KK[θrˈɛts]IPA/θret/

threats — noun

  • threatssingular
  • threatsesplural

1. a spoken or written statement in which one person tells another that they will h

1.名詞B1
釋義

a spoken or written statement in which one person tells another that they will hurt or punish them if the other person does not do what is demanded

例句

The landlord made a threat to evict Chiara if she failed to pay the rent.

threat to + infinitive — intention to punish

Arjun ignored the bully's threat of a beating and walked straight to class.

threat of + noun phrase

同義詞
  • menace

    more formal and dramatic than 'threat'; often used in legal or literary contexts

  • intimidation

    focuses on causing fear rather than stating a specific action, and is usually uncountable

反義詞
  • promise

    a statement about doing something good, not something bad

文法句型

threat + to + infinitive

threat + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently appears in compound nouns such as death threat, bomb threat, and kidnapping threat. The pattern 'threat to + infinitive' names the action the speaker promises to take if their demand is not met.

常見錯誤

❌He made a threat of hit me.
✅He made a threat to hit me.
💡after 'threat to', use the base form of the verb, not 'of' + verb-ing.
❌She gave a threaten to call the police.
✅She made a threat to call the police.
💡'threat' is a noun; 'threaten' is the verb form.

2. a situation in which something harmful or unpleasant is likely to happen to a pe

2.名詞B1
釋義

a situation in which something harmful or unpleasant is likely to happen to a person, group, or thing

例句

The ancient forest is under threat from a new highway construction project.

be + under + threat — currently in danger

Constanza's job was under threat after the company announced massive budget cuts.

同義詞
  • danger

    a wider, more general word; 'threat' implies a specific source or intention

  • risk

    focuses on the chance of harm rather than the situation itself

反義詞
  • safety

    the state of being free from harm or danger

文法句型

under threat of

be + under + threat

pose a threat to

用法筆記

Commonly used with the preposition 'under' to indicate that someone or something is currently in danger. The phrase 'under threat of' names the specific bad outcome that may happen.

常見錯誤

❌The forest is in threat of being cut down.
✅The forest is under threat of being cut down.
💡the standard preposition is 'under', not 'in'.
❌Pollution threatens a threat to fish.
✅Pollution poses a threat to fish.
💡use 'poses a threat to' instead of 'threatens a threat'.

3. a person, animal, or thing that has the ability or intention to cause harm, dama

3.名詞B2
釋義

a person, animal, or thing that has the ability or intention to cause harm, damage, or trouble

例句

Beatrix's doctor said the infected wound was a threat to her leg.

Chidi was seen as a threat by competitors because his app was faster.

person as a threat — rival

同義詞
  • danger

    broader — can refer to an abstract condition; 'threat' implies a specific, identifiable source

  • menace

    stronger and more dramatic; suggests someone or something that causes constant fear

  • hazard

    focuses on physical danger, often in workplace or environmental contexts

反義詞
  • protector

    a person or thing that keeps others safe from harm

  • guardian

    someone who defends others against danger

文法句型

a threat to + noun phrase

be a threat

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (a spoken statement), this sense refers to the person or thing that actually causes danger. It often pairs with 'to' to name what is endangered. Can describe a rival or opponent whose success endangers another's position.

常見錯誤

❌The disease is a threat for public health.
✅The disease is a threat to public health.
💡use 'threat to', not 'threat for'.
❌He is a threaten to our team.
✅He is a threat to our team.
💡'threat' is a noun; the verb form is 'threaten'.

4. a sign, indication, or prediction that something bad may happen in the near futu

4.名詞B2
釋義

a sign, indication, or prediction that something bad may happen in the near future

例句

Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, carrying the threat of a severe thunderstorm.

There was a constant threat of flooding during the rainy season in the low-lying neighbourhood.

there + be + a threat of — predicting bad weather

同義詞
  • sign

    neutral and less alarming; 'threat' implies the coming event is negative

  • warning

    more deliberate — suggests someone or something actively signals danger

  • omen

    literary or superstitious; suggests a supernatural indication

文法句型

a threat of + noun phrase

there + be + a threat of

用法筆記

Often used with weather or natural events (threat of rain, threat of a storm) and with medical outcomes (threat of infection). Unlike sense 2, this sense focuses on the early signal rather than the ongoing dangerous situation.