threat
gb/θɹˈɛt/ us/θɹˈɛt/
B1
English
~ 1500
fenyegetés, veszély, kockázat
NOUN
B1
1
fenyegetés
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] makes a threat
The witness received a death threat after testifying in court.
A tanú halálos fenyegetést kapott, miután vallomást tett a bíróságon.
The manager's threat to fire the staff caused tension in the office.
Feszültséget okozott az irodában, hogy a vezető az alkalmazottak elbocsátásával fenyegetett.
He made a threat to damage the car if she didn’t pay him.
The teacher took the student's threat seriously and contacted the principal.
They ignored his threats, thinking he was bluffing.
Learner examples
She got a threat from a stranger.
Egy idegentől kapott fenyegetést.
He made a threat to hurt me.
Megfenyegetett, hogy bántani fog.
The threat scared the children.
The police are looking into the threat.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'threat' with 'treat' because they sound similar, but they have very different meanings.
Meaning
Statement or action promising harm
Collocations
make a threat
|issue a threat
|threat of violence
|death threat
|empty threat
Synonyms
menace (Slightly more formal and can also refer to a dangerous person or thing.)
Antonyms
assurance (Expresses a promise of safety or security instead of harm.)
Themes
crime
|safety
|emotions
|law
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Words or actions that say or show someone will hurt you or cause problems.
A statement, gesture, or action that shows someone intends to cause pain, damage, or other negative consequences.
NOUN
B1
2
veszély
A2
fenyegetés
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is a threat to [something]
Climate change is a serious threat to biodiversity.
Az éghajlatváltozás komoly veszélyt jelent a biológiai sokféleségre.
The virus remains a significant health threat.
A vírus továbbra is komoly veszélyt jelent az egészségre.
He sees her as a threat to his position at work.
The army is prepared for any external threats.
Illegal fishing is a major threat to marine life.
Learner examples
Fire is a threat to the forest.
A tűz veszélyt jelent az erdőre.
Pollution is a big threat to animals.
A szennyezés nagy veszélyt jelent az állatokra.
That man is a threat to the children.
The storm is a threat to the town.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'threat' (potential harm) with 'risk' (chance of harm), though they overlap in meaning.
Meaning
Person or thing that may cause harm
Collocations
pose a threat
|serious threat
|security threat
|real threat
|threat to national security
Synonyms
danger (General term for something that can cause harm, less formal in some contexts.)
Antonyms
protection (Something that keeps people or things safe from harm.)
Themes
safety
|environment
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person or thing that can hurt you or cause problems.
A person, group, situation, or thing that is likely to cause harm or danger.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
threat of [something negative]
The company faces the threat of bankruptcy.
A vállalat a csőd veszélyével néz szembe.
Farmers live with the constant threat of drought.
A gazdák az aszály állandó veszélyével élnek együtt.
There is a growing threat of economic recession.
The peace talks reduced the threat of conflict.
Wildlife habitats are under threat from development.
Learner examples
There is a threat of rain today.
Ma fennáll az eső veszélye.
The country is under the threat of war.
Az országot háború veszélye fenyegeti.
We live with the threat of floods every year.
The team is facing the threat of losing the game.
Meaning
Possibility of harm or loss
Collocations
under threat
|the threat of war
|constant threat
|looming threat
Synonyms
risk (Focuses more on probability than on intent.)
Antonyms
opportunity (A set of circumstances that makes something good possible instead of bad.)
Themes
business
|politics
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The chance that something bad will happen.
The possibility of something harmful, unpleasant, or unwanted happening.
Grammar
Dictionary form
threat
IPA
GB/θɹˈɛt/
US/θɹˈɛt/
Syllables & stress
threat (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (threat)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: threat
- Plural: threat, threats
Word family
Forms
threats
noun
Core family
threaten
verb B1
threatening
adjective
Related words
threateningly
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unthreatening
adjective
Expressions
death threat
1/dˈɛθ θɹˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Statement threatening to kill someone
A warning that someone will be killed if they do not do what is wanted.
Examples
- The journalist received several death threats after publishing the article.
- She reported the death threat to the police immediately.
empty threat
1/ˈɛmpti θɹˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Promise of harm without intent/action
A warning that someone will do something bad, but they will not really do it.
Examples
- His promise to quit was just an empty threat.
- They knew it was an empty threat and ignored it.
make a threat
1/mˈeɪk ə θɹˈɛt/
fixed phrase
State intention to cause harm
To say you will hurt someone or cause problems for them.
Examples
- He made a threat against the company director.
- She was arrested after making threats online.
under threat
1/ˈʌndɚ θɹˈɛt/
fixed phrase
In danger of harm or loss
In danger of being harmed or destroyed.
Examples
- Several species are under threat due to deforestation.
- His job is under threat after the merger.
pose a threat
1/pˈoʊz ə θɹˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Create danger or risk
To cause danger or risk to someone or something.
Examples
- Rising sea levels pose a threat to island nations.
- The virus poses a serious threat to public health.
pose a threat
2/pˈoʊz ə θɹˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Create risk of harm or loss
To be dangerous or cause possible harm.
Examples
- These chemicals pose a serious threat to human health.
- Rising sea levels pose a threat to coastal cities.