{{Short description|Indication of intent of harm}} {{Other uses}} {{Lead rewrite|date=August 2024}} [[File:great train robbery still.jpg|thumb|225px|Threats can be subtle or overt. Actor Justus D. Barnes in ''The Great Train Robbery'']] A '''threat''' is a communication of intent to inflict harm or loss on another person.<ref>{{Cite OED | threat }}</ref><ref>{{MerriamWebsterDictionary|threat}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://definitions.uslegal.com/t/threat-of-harm/|title=Threat of Harm Law and Legal Definition| website=uslegal.com| publisher=USLegal}}</ref>
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.<ref>Anderson, J., [https://theaccidentalnegotiator.com/signal/deal-threats-negotiation How To Deal With Threats During A Negotiation], ''The Accidental Negotiator'', published on 30 November 2018, accessed on 6 February 2026</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Phelps and Lehman|first=Shirelle and Jeffrey|title=West's Encyclopedia of American Law|date=2005|publisher=Gale Virtual Reference Library|location=Detroit|page=27}}</ref>
==Law== ===Brazil=== In Brazil, the crime of threatening someone, defined as a threat to cause unjust and grave harm, is punishable by a fine or three months to one year in prison, as described in the Brazilian Penal Code, article 147. Brazilian does not treat as a crime a threat that was proffered in a heated discussion.
===Germany=== The German ''Strafgesetzbuch'' § 241 punishes the crime of threat with a prison term for up to three years or a fine.
===United States=== In the United States, federal law criminalizes certain true threats transmitted via the U.S. mail<ref>{{usc|18|876}}</ref> or in interstate commerce. It also criminalizes threatening the government officials of the United States. Some U.S. states criminalize cyberbullying. Threats of bodily harm are considered assault.
====State of Texas==== In the state of Texas, it is not necessary that the person threatened actually perceive a threat for a threat to exist for legal purposes.<ref>Olivias v. State of Texas, 203 S.W. 3d 341 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006) citing McGowan v. State of Texas, 664 S.W. 2d 355 at 357 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984). https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/2006/pd-1936-04-7.html</ref><ref>2 Wayne R. LaFave, Substantive Criminal Law §16.3(b) at 568 (2d ed. 2003).</ref>
==== True threat ==== {{main|True threat}} A true threat is threatening communication that can be prosecuted under the law. It is distinct from a threat that is made in jest. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that true threats are not protected under the U.S. Constitution based on three justifications: preventing fear, preventing the disruption that follows from that fear, and diminishing the likelihood that the threatened violence will occur.<ref>{{citation|volume=81|publisher=N.Y.U. L. Rev.|pages=385|year=2006|title=Toward an Improved True Threat Doctrine for Student Speakers; Stanner, Andrew P.|url=http://heinonlinebackup.com/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/nylr81§ion=21}}</ref>
==See also== {{Wikiquote}} {{Wikitionary}} {{columns-list|colwidth=30em|* Anger * Balance of threat * Death threat * ''Elonis v. United States'' * Emotional blackmail * Extortion * Intimidation * Non-credible threat * Protection racket * Threat (computer) * Throffer }}
==References== {{Reflist}}
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Category:Harassment and bullying Category:Speech crimes Category:Psychological abuse