amenazar
“amenazar” means “to threaten” in Spanish (expressing an intent to harm or cause trouble).
to threaten
Also: to loom or menace
📝 In Action
El hombre amenazó con llamar a la policía.
B1The man threatened to call the police.
Las nubes negras amenazan tormenta.
B1The black clouds are threatening a storm.
El cambio climático amenaza la biodiversidad del planeta.
B2Climate change threatens the planet's biodiversity.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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Words that translate to "amenazar" in Spanish:
to threaten→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: amenazar
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'I threatened' in Spanish?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish noun 'amenaza', which comes from the Vulgar Latin 'minacia' (threats), derived from the Latin 'minari' (to overhang/threaten).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'amenazar' always a bad thing?
Yes, it almost always implies something negative, whether it's a person intending to do harm or a situation (like a storm or an economic crisis) that could cause problems.
Does the pronunciation change when the 'z' becomes a 'c'?
No. In Spain, both 'z' and 'c' (before e/i) sound like a 'th'. In Latin America, both sound like an 's'. The change is purely for spelling rules!
Can I use 'amenazar' to mean 'to warn'?
Not exactly. 'Advertir' is better for a friendly or neutral warning. 'Amenazar' is much stronger and implies a hostile intent or a serious danger.