threat

Universal Words noun 1 [C,U] ~ (to do sth) a statement in which you tell sb that you will punish or harm them, especially if they do not do what you want: to make threats against sb * She is prepared to carry out her threat to resign. * He received death threats from right-wing groups. * crimes involving violence or the threat of violence 2 [U,C,usually sing.] the possibility of trouble, danger or disaster: These ancient woodlands are under threat from new road developments. * There is a real threat of war. * The forecast is for rain with the threat of thunderstorms. 3 [C,usually sing.] ~ (to sth) a person or thing that is likely to cause trouble, danger, etc: He is unlikely to be a threat to the Spanish player in the final. * Drug abuse poses a major threat to the fabric of our society.