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Threat vs Retaliation - What's the difference?

threat | retaliation |

As nouns the difference between threat and retaliation

is that threat is an expression of intent to injure or punish another while retaliation is violent response to an act of harm or perceived injustice.

As a verb threat

is (label) to press; urge; compel.

threat

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) (m), (m), (m), .

Noun

(en noun)
  • An expression of intent to injure or punish another.
  • * (William Shakespeare)
    • There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats .
  • An indication of imminent danger.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= Katrina G. Claw
    • , title= Rapid Evolution in Eggs and Sperm , volume=101, issue=3, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Many genes with reproductive roles also have antibacterial and immune functions, which indicate that the threat of microbial attack on the sperm or egg may be a major influence on rapid evolution during reproduction.}}
  • A person or object that is regarded as a danger; a menace.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=September 2, author=Phil McNulty, work=BBC
    • , title= Bulgaria 0-3 England , passage=Rooney's United team-mate Chris Smalling was given his debut at right-back and was able to adjust to the international stage in relatively relaxed fashion as Bulgaria barely posed a threat of any consequence.}}
    Related terms
    * threaten * threatening

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) (m), from (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (label) To press; urge; compel.
  • (archaic) To threaten.
  • * 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , I.vii:
    • An hideous Geant horrible and hye, / That with his talnesse seemd to threat the skye
  • * 1599 , , V. i. 37:
    • O yes, and soundless too; / For you have stolen their buzzing, Antony, / And very wisely threat before you sting.
  • (label) To use threats; act or speak menacingly; threaten.

    • Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words

    retaliation

    English

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • Violent response to an act of harm or perceived injustice.
  • An act of violent response.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2009, date=January 13, author=, title=`Never again,' says survivor, work=Toronto Star citation
    • , passage=Hamas knew there would be massive retaliations .}}

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Related terms

    * retaliate * retaliatory