脅す・威す・嚇す|おどすodosu[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
脅す脅す is the most common written form and the form beginners should use.
威す威す is a rarely used written variant of 脅す, so learners will seldom need to choose it.
嚇す嚇す is a rarely used written variant of 脅す, so learners will seldom need to choose it.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto threaten; to menace; to frighten (into doing)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 脅す（おどす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 脅します（おどします） |
| Negative (nai) | 脅さない（おどさない） |
| polite (masen) | 脅しません（おどしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 脅さず・脅さぬ（おどさず・おどさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 脅した（おどした） |
| polite (mashita) | 脅しました（おどしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 脅さなかった（おどさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 脅しませんでした（おどしませんでした） |
| Te form | 脅して（おどして） |
| Potential | 脅せる（おどせる） |
| Passive | 脅される（おどされる） |
| Causative | 脅させる（おどさせる） |
| Causative passive | 脅させられる（おどさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 脅せば（おどせば） |
| tara | 脅したら（おどしたら） |
| Volitional | 脅そう（おどそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 脅しましょう（おどしましょう） |
| Imperative | 脅せ（おどせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym脅かすおどかすNeutralRead 「おどかす」. Covers startling and threatening, as in 「急に脅かすな」; it centers on giving a scare, while 「脅す」 centers on forcing compliance by threat.
- Synonym威嚇いかくWrittenDisplaying power to intimidate — by force, words or posture, as in 「威嚇射撃」; it is also the usual word for an animal's threat display.
- Synonym脅迫きょうはくWrittenWritten/formal prose: threatening harm to force compliance; leans legal, as in 「脅迫状」 and 「脅迫罪」. In speech say 「脅す」.
- Synonym脅しつけるおどしつけるNeutralThreatens someone hard to make them obey; stronger in tone than 「脅す」 and used less often.
- Synonym凄むすごむNeutralIntransitive: to put on a fierce look or scare with harsh words, centering on demeanor and tone; 「脅す」 takes the other party directly as its object.
- Related恐喝きょうかつWrittenExtorting money or goods by threat, as in 「恐喝罪」; leans legal. 「脅す」 is not necessarily about money.
- Related恫喝どうかつWrittenWritten/formal prose: intimidating with an overbearing show of force, meant to cow the other side; harder-edged than 「脅す」 and common in news and commentary.
- Related恐嚇きょうかくWrittenWritten/formal prose for intimidation or threats; rare in modern usage — in everyday speech say 「脅す」.
- Related強迫きょうはくWrittenWritten/formal prose for coercion or compulsion; a civil-law term that also covers obsessive ideas, as in 「強迫観念」. For everyday threats say 「脅す」.
- Related威迫いはくWrittenWritten/formal prose for pressing someone through sheer menace; leans legal. In daily speech say 「脅す」.
- AntonymなだめるNeutralAntonym: to soothe and calm someone's anger or discontent — the opposite of frightening them with 「脅す」.
- Antonym安心させるNeutralAntonym phrase: to set someone's mind at ease, as in 「家族を安心させる」 — the opposite of 「脅す」, which fills people with fear.
For directly threatening or frightening someone into doing something, use 「脅す」, as in 「ナイフで脅す」. Use 「脅かす」 for startling someone, 「恐喝」 for extorting money, 「脅迫」 in formal or legal contexts, and 「威嚇」 for a show of force; to soothe, use 「宥める」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
