好词典

menace

UK //ˈmen.ɪs//US //ˈmen.ɪs//

词源

源自13世纪古法语menace,来自拉丁语minaciae(威胁),与minax(威胁的)相关。

noun

❶ 指具有威胁性的人或事物,可能造成危险或伤害。常用于形容令人不安或恐惧的存在。

“The dark clouds were a menace to the picnic.”

(乌云对野餐构成了威胁。)

“The stray dogs became a menace to the neighborhood.”

(流浪狗对社区构成了威胁。)

同义词:threat, danger, hazard

verb

❶ 威胁或恐吓某人,使其感到危险或不安。强调通过行为或态度施加压力。

“The stranger menaced her with a knife.”

(陌生人用刀威胁她。)

“The storm clouds menaced the coastal town.”

(暴风云威胁着这个沿海小镇。)

同义词:threaten, intimidate, bully

常见短语

a menace to society — 形容对社会构成威胁的人或事物,通常指犯罪行为或危险行为。

“The corrupt official was considered a menace to society.”

(那个腐败官员被视为社会的威胁。)