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Menaced: meaning, definitions and examples

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menaced

 

[ ˈmɛnɪst ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

threatening situation

To menace someone means to put them in a state of fear or anxiety by threatening them or suggesting that they are in danger. This can be done through actions, words, or menacing behavior. The term is often used in contexts of intimidation, where one party exerts control or power over another through fear. It can describe both physical and psychological threats.

Synonyms

bully, frighten, harass, intimidate, threaten

Examples of usage

  • The wild animal menaced the campers.
  • He felt menaced by the stranger's glare.
  • A storm was menacing the coastal towns.

Translations

Translations of the word "menaced" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ameaçado

🇮🇳 धमकी दी गई

🇩🇪 bedroht

🇮🇩 terancam

🇺🇦 погрожений

🇵🇱 zagrożony

🇯🇵 脅かされた

🇫🇷 menacé

🇪🇸 amenazado

🇹🇷 tehdit altında

🇰🇷 위협받는

🇸🇦 مهدد

🇨🇿 ohrožený

🇸🇰 ohrozený

🇨🇳 受到威胁

🇸🇮 ogrožen

🇮🇸 ógnað

🇰🇿 қатер төнген

🇬🇪 მუქარით

🇦🇿 təhlükə altında

🇲🇽 amenazado

Word origin

The word 'menace' comes from the Latin 'minaccia', which means 'threat'. It evolved through the Old French 'menacer', meaning 'to threaten'. The term gained popularity in English around the late 16th century. Originally, it pertained to any form of danger or peril, but over time it became more specifically associated with the act of threatening behavior. In contemporary usage, 'menace' often refers to a person or thing that is regarded as likely to cause harm or is threatening. The nuances of the word suggest both a degree of directness in the threat and an implication of the implied consequences of not heeding the warning. Thus, the evolution of the term encompasses both physical and psychological forms of intimidation.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,281, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.