Menaçaient (en. Threatened)

[mənaseɛ]

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
verb
To indicate an intention to harm or cause damage.
The clouds threatened to break.
Les nuages menaçaient de craquer.
To express a warning about an unpleasant consequence.
Authorities threatened to impose fines.
Les autorités menaçaient d'imposer des amendes.
To create a feeling of pressure or imminent danger.
Rivals threatened their market position.
Les rivaux menaçaient leur position sur le marché.

Etymology

From the verb 'to threaten', derived from the Latin 'minaciare'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to threaten with a sanction
To warn of possible legal consequences.
menacer d'une sanction
to threaten to do something
To indicate an intention to take action.
menacer de faire quelque chose
to be under threat of
To be in danger due to a threat.
être sous la menace de

Related Words

threat
A situation of uncertainty that can cause damage.
menace
to threaten
Action of provoking violence or harm.
menacer
intimidation
Action of impressing through threat.
intimidation

Slang Meanings

To threaten in an exaggerated manner.
He threatened to break everything, but it was just a bluff.
Il a menacé de tout casser, mais c'était juste du bluff.
To make empty promises without consequences.
She threatened to never come back, but I know she was just angry.
Elle menaçait de ne plus jamais revenir, mais je sais qu'elle était juste fâchée.