威嚇|いかくikaku[0]heiban (flat)
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Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbthreat; intimidation; menace
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 威嚇する（いかくする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 威嚇します（いかくします） |
| Negative (nai) | 威嚇しない（いかくしない） |
| polite (masen) | 威嚇しません（いかくしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 威嚇せず・威嚇せぬ（いかくせず・いかくせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 威嚇した（いかくした） |
| polite (mashita) | 威嚇しました（いかくしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 威嚇しなかった（いかくしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 威嚇しませんでした（いかくしませんでした） |
| Te form | 威嚇して（いかくして） |
| Potential | 威嚇できる（いかくできる） |
| Passive | 威嚇される（いかくされる） |
| Causative | 威嚇させる（いかくさせる） |
| Causative passive | 威嚇させられる（いかくさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 威嚇すれば（いかくすれば） |
| tara | 威嚇したら（いかくしたら） |
| Volitional | 威嚇しよう（いかくしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 威嚇しましょう（いかくしましょう） |
| Imperative | 威嚇しろ（いかくしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym脅すおどすNeutralEveryday verb for threatening someone into submission; 「威嚇」 is more written, and centres on displaying force or bearing to deter, as in 「威嚇射撃」.
- Synonym脅迫きょうはくWrittenWritten word for threatening to harm someone's life or reputation to force compliance; also a legal term, as in 「脅迫罪」. More concrete than 「威嚇」.
- Synonym脅しおどしNeutralNoun for threatening words or acts, also bird-scaring devices; often heard as 「ただの脅し」. 「威嚇」 is more written and means a show of force to deter.
- Synonym脅かすおどかすNeutralCommon in speech; means to threaten but also to startle or scare someone. 「威嚇」 has no sense of simply giving someone a fright.
- Synonym脅かしおどかしNeutralColloquial noun for frightening someone into obeying. 「威嚇」 instead points to the act of displaying force to deter.
- Synonym恫喝どうかつWrittenWritten word for overawing people with words or an imposing manner, as in 「恫喝外交」. 「威嚇」 centres on displaying armed force or sheer presence.
- Synonym威迫いはくWrittenRare even in writing: to pressure someone with one's might. In everyday use say 「脅迫」 or 「威嚇」, which are close in meaning.
- Synonym脅しつけるおどしつけるNeutralStrong-toned verb for threatening someone hard to make them obey. 「威嚇」 centres on displaying strength and need not target any specific demand.
- Related恐喝きょうかつWrittenLegal term for extorting money by threats, as in 「恐喝罪」. 「威嚇」 itself only means showing force to frighten, with no demand for money or goods.
- Related脅威きょういNeutralA force or danger that threatens, or the fear of being threatened, as in 「脅威にさらされる」. 「威嚇」 is the act of displaying force.
- Related恐嚇きょうかくWrittenRare even in writing: to frighten someone with threats. Everyday intimidation is 「脅す」 or 「脅迫」; 「恐喝」 is kept for extorting money or goods.
- Related強迫きょうはくNeutralForcing someone to act; in civil law, duress; also obsessive compulsion. 「威嚇」 is only a show of force to deter and need not make anyone act.
- Related凄むすごむCasualColloquial verb: to put on a fierce look or use harsh words to scare, as in 「凄んでみせる」. 「威嚇」 is more written and mostly a display of force.
- Antonym宥和ゆうわWrittenAntonym: appeasement, soothing an adversary with concessions to ease hostility, as in 「宥和政策」. The opposite of deterring by force as 「威嚇」 does.
- AntonymなだめNeutralAntonym: calming and soothing someone to settle their feelings. The opposite of 「威嚇」, which overawes with force.
Use 「威嚇」 for deterring by a show of force or imposing presence, as in 「威嚇射撃」. For everyday threatening say 「脅す」; for threats of harm, 「脅迫」; for extortion, 「恐喝」; for overawing with words or manner, 「恫喝」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
