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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

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

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

imperfect

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

preterite

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

subjunctive

present

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

imperfect

él/ella/ustedamenazara
yoamenazara
túamenazaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesamenazaran
nosotrosamenazáramos
vosotrosamenazarais
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.