encounter a threat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encounter a threat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where someone or something comes across a potential danger or risk. Example: "During the investigation, the team may encounter a threat that could jeopardize their safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Gutsy, bold elk are more likely to sprint faster and farther when they encounter a threat.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"There is no evidence that Officer Noor encountered a threat, appreciated a threat, investigated a threat, or confirmed a threat that justified his decision to use deadly force," Freeman said Tuesday.

Huffington Post

"In the short time between when Ms Damond-Ruszczyk approached the squad car and the time Officer Noor fired the fatal shot, there is no evidence that officer Noor encountered a threat, appreciated a threat, investigated a threat or confirmed a threat that justified his decision to use deadly force," Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman told a media conference in Minneapolis.

Vice

Research by security company Blue Coat suggests web adverts have overtaken pornography as the most common way for users to encounter a malware threat.

BBC

It is part of a major set piece as Ty Simpkins and Nick Robinson, who play brothers Gray and Zach, go off-road and encounter a toothy threat.

Huffington Post

In this context, since the 1980s, the rural traditional dwellings with unique local characteristics and ecological advantages encounter an enormous threat.

Journal of Rural Studies

The challenge for Mr. Kelly is to make sure that the officers checking out the roofs are prepared for anything, including the possibility that the people they encounter are not a threat.

The New York Times

My gripe with John McCain has never been that I've believed him unheroic, but instead that his heroism has been confined only to instances where he encountered a physical threat.

Huffington Post

Jewell Jones, San Pedro... To the editor: What is disturbing about current policing in America is that everyone who is encountered is considered a threat or a criminal.

Los Angeles Times

Other studies have indicated that negative encounters might become a threat to patient safety since they affect communication and patient behaviour.

BMJ Open

A pillar of LA's elite would encounter someone who posed a threat to, say, their public image.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encounter a threat" when you want to describe a situation where someone or something unexpectedly comes across a potential danger or risk.

Common error

Avoid using "encounter a threat" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "face a danger" or "confront a risk" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounter a threat" functions as a verb phrase where "encounter" is the verb and "a threat" is the object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "encounter a threat" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe coming across a potential danger. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English across various contexts. While synonyms like "face a danger" or "confront a risk" can be used for variety, understanding the subtle differences in their implications is important. The phrase appears frequently in news, science, and wiki contexts, making it a versatile option for describing unexpected or passive encounters with danger. While the phrase is correct, it is advisable to prevent the overuse of it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face a danger

Replaces "threat" with "danger", which is a slightly more general term.

confront a risk

"Confront" suggests a more direct and intentional engagement with the threat.

experience a hazard

Substitutes "threat" with "hazard", focusing on the potential for harm.

meet a peril

"Peril" is a more dramatic and literary synonym for "threat".

run into a threat

Implies an unexpected or accidental encounter.

come across a menace

"Menace" implies a source of potential harm or annoyance.

detect a threat

Focuses on identifying the threat rather than simply encountering it.

be exposed to a threat

Emphasizes vulnerability to the threat.

identify a risk

Similar to detecting, but emphasizing the assessment of potential harm.

recognize a danger

Highlights the awareness of an existing danger.

FAQs

How can I use "encounter a threat" in a sentence?

You can use "encounter a threat" to describe facing a potential danger. For example, "During the investigation, the team may encounter a threat that could jeopardize their safety."

What are some alternatives to "encounter a threat"?

You can use alternatives such as "face a danger", "confront a risk", or "meet a peril", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "encounter a threat" or "face a threat"?

"Encounter a threat" and "face a threat" are both correct and usable. "Encounter" suggests a more passive or unexpected meeting, while "face" implies a more active confrontation.

What does it mean to "encounter a threat"?

To "encounter a threat" means to come across or experience something that poses a potential danger or risk. It implies that the person or thing experiencing the threat was not necessarily seeking it out.