SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
threshold
noun
A point or level at which something begins or changes; also the entrance to a place.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Point of beginning or change
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topThreshold marks where a state, response, or eligibility begins. A cutoff is a chosen dividing value in many contexts; a brink often suggests an imminent event.
Entrance
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topThe literal threshold can be the sill at an entrance. Doorway names the opening more broadly, while portal can be a grand or figurative entrance.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See threshold in use
The program displayed a notice when the score reached the chosen threshold.
The project crossed a practical threshold when enough finished pieces existed to fill the planned program.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license