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amenaza

ah-meh-NAH-sah (The 'z' sound is like an 's' in Latin America, but like the 'th' in 'thing' in Spain)a.meˈna.sa/ ~ /a.meˈna.θa

threat

Also: menace, danger
NounfB1
A dramatic illustration showing a huge, dark purple storm cloud hanging low and ominously over a tiny, brightly colored cottage, representing a threat.

📝 In Action

La deforestación es una grave **amenaza** para el ecosistema.

B1

Deforestation is a serious **threat** to the ecosystem.

Recibió una **amenaza** de muerte anónima.

B2

She received an anonymous death **threat**.

Los nubarrones son una **amenaza** de tormenta.

B1

The dark clouds are a **menace** (or signal) of a storm.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • bajo amenaza – under threat
  • amenaza terrorista – terrorist threat

he/she/it threatens

Also: you threaten
VerbA2regular ar
An illustration of a tall, stylized figure with a dark silhouette pointing a single, accusatory finger down toward a small, trembling blue bird perched on a branch, depicting the action of threatening.
infinitiveamenazar
gerundamenazando
past Participleamenazado

📝 In Action

El perro nos **amenaza** si nos acercamos a su plato.

A2

The dog **threatens** us if we get close to his bowl.

El volcán inactivo ya no **amenaza** a la población.

B1

The inactive volcano no longer **threatens** the population.

¿Usted me **amenaza**? ¡No le tengo miedo!

A2

Are you **threatening** me? I'm not afraid of you!

Word Connections

Synonyms

Indicative

Present

yoamenazo
túamenazas
él/ella/ustedamenaza
nosotrosamenazamos
vosotrosamenazáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesamenazan

Imperfect

yoamenazaba
túamenazabas
él/ella/ustedamenazaba
nosotrosamenazábamos
vosotrosamenazabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesamenazaban

Preterite

yoamenacé
túamenazaste
él/ella/ustedamenazó
nosotrosamenazamos
vosotrosamenazasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesamenazaron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yoamenace
túamenaces
él/ella/ustedamenace
nosotrosamenacemos
vosotrosamenacéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesamenacen

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoamenazara
túamenazaras
él/ella/ustedamenazara
nosotrosamenazáramos
vosotrosamenazarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesamenazaran
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "amenaza" in Spanish:

danger→menace→threat→you threaten→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: amenaza

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'amenaza' as the action of the verb?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
amenazar(to threaten) — Verb
amenazador(threatening (masculine)) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Vulgar Latin word *minacia*, meaning 'jutting out' or 'protruding.' This word was itself based on the Latin word *minae*, meaning 'projections' or 'threats.' The idea of something physically sticking out led to the figurative meaning of looming danger.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: minacciaFrench: menace

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'amenaza' the same as 'amenazar'?

No, they are related! 'Amenazar' is the base verb meaning 'to threaten.' 'Amenaza' is the noun meaning 'a threat,' or it can be the conjugated verb form meaning 'he/she/it threatens' in the present tense.

How do I know if 'amenaza' is a noun or a verb in a sentence?

Look at the words around it. If it is preceded by 'la' or 'una' (La amenaza, una amenaza), it is a noun. If it is preceded by a person (El jefe amenaza) or refers to the action being done, it is a verb.