1.
threat, menace
Something that poses a danger or inspires fear. Used for serious threats in political, military, environmental, and security contexts. More formal and weighty than 脅し.
安全保障への脅威が高まっている。
The threat to national security is growing.
地球温暖化は人類にとって大きな脅威だ。
Global warming is a great threat to humanity.
サイバー攻撃の脅威に備えるため、企業はセキュリティ対策を強化している。
Companies are strengthening their security measures to prepare for the threat of cyberattacks.
USAGE NOTE:
A formal, serious word used in news, politics, and academic contexts. Not used for trivial or personal-level threats. Carries a tone of gravity and urgency.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 脅威になる (become a threat)
- 脅威を感じる (feel threatened)
- 脅威を与える (pose a threat)
- 脅威に{さらされる} (be exposed to a threat)
- 脅威に備える (prepare for a threat)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 脅し: threat, intimidation (direct personal threat, less formal)
- 危険: danger, risk (broader; not necessarily from an external agent)
- 危機: crisis (more immediate and urgent)