French Conversation · Level 116
60 words
French word
menaçant
Pronunciation
IPA/mənasɑ̃/
Meaning
- adjectivethreatening
Example
Le ton de sa voix était menaçant.
The tone of his voice was threatening.
More examples
Elle a reçu un message menaçant.
She received a threatening message.
Core concept
A voice, look, or manner that makes danger or confrontation feel close.
Common phrases
regard menaçant
threatening look
message menaçant
threatening message
Similar words
intimidant: Causing fear that makes others shrink back or restrain their behavior.
agressif: Openly angry and forceful, with a readiness to confront or attack.
hostile: Showing enmity and rejecting cooperation or friendliness.
inquiétant: Suggesting danger or a bad outcome and prompting caution.
Definition in French
Qui donne l'impression d'une menace, appliqué à un ton, un regard ou une attitude.
Word origin
Menaçant derives from the present participle of French menacer, from Old French menacier and ultimately Latin minari, "to threaten."
Usage tips
- Menaçant agrees with the noun: menaçante is feminine, and menaçants and menaçantes are the plural forms.
Other meanings
- intimidatingadjective
- ominousadjective
Opposites
- rassurantreassuringadjective
- inoffensifharmlessadjective