German word

Drohung

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈdʁoːʊ̯ŋ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounthreat

Example

Ich erhielt gestern eine Drohung per Telefon.

Yesterday, I received a threat over the phone.

Illustration for Drohung (threat)

More examples

Der Vorgesetzte ging mit Drohungen gegen den Mitarbeiter vor.

The supervisor used threats against the employee.

Core concept

A pressure signal that makes resistance seem risky and compliance seem safer.

Common phrases

  • mit Drohung vorgehen

    use threats

  • eine Drohung ernst nehmen

    take a threat seriously

Similar words

Bedrohung: A state or sign that someone's life or safety is in danger.
Androhung: A warning that a harmful act will be carried out.
Erpressung: Using threats to demand money or some other benefit illegally.
Nötigung: Illegal coercion that forces someone to act through fear or strong pressure.

Definition in German

Ein mündlicher oder schriftlicher Hinweis, der dazu bestimmt ist, jemanden einzuschüchtern oder gefügig zu machen.

Word origin

The noun Drohung derives from drohen through the productive German suffix -ung, which forms nouns for actions or their results.

Usage tips

  • The verb drohen takes the dative for the person threatened: jemandem drohen, not jemanden drohen.

Other meanings

  • intimidationnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word