A threat is a statement (verbal, written or physical) which is intended to intimidate by expressing the intent to either harass, hurt, take the life of another person, or damage/destroy property. This includes threats made in jest but which others could perceive as serious.
This article's lead section may need to be rewritten. (August 2024) |
A threat is a communication of intent to inflict harm or loss on another person. Intimidation is a tactic used between conflicting parties to make the other timid or psychologically insecure for coercion or control. The act of intimidation for coercion is considered a threat.
Threatening or threatening behavior (or criminal threatening behavior) is the crime of intentionally or knowingly putting another person in fear of bodily injury.
In business negotiation, threats include the prospects that one party will walk away from the negotiation, file a lawsuit, or damage the other party's reputation.
Some of the more common types of threats forbidden by law are those made with an intent to obtain a monetary advantage or to compel a person to act against their will. In most U.S. states, it is an offense to threaten to (1) use a deadly weapon on another person; (2) injure another's person or property; or (3) injure another's reputation.
English
Pronunciation
- (UK, US) enPR: thrĕt, IPA(key): /θɹɛt/
- (General Australian) IPA(key): /ˈθɹet/
- (Ireland) IPA(key): /ˈtɹɛt/
- Rhymes: -ɛt
Etymology 1
From Middle English threte, thret, thrat, thræt, threat, from Old English þrēat (“crowd, swarm, troop, army, press; pressure, trouble, calamity, oppression, force, violence, threat”), from Proto-Germanic *þrautaz, closely tied to
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