ameaçar

Senses

1. 1.

   to threaten

   to express intention to harm or punish someone

2. 2.

   to menace, to pose a threat to

   to be a source of danger or harm to something or someone

3. 3.

   to threaten, to be imminent

   to seem likely to happen soon (usually something unpleasant)

Examples

• "O homem ameaçou chamar a polícia se não saíssemos imediatamente."

  The man threatened to call the police if we didn't leave immediately.

• "A poluição ameaça a vida marinha na região."

  Pollution threatens marine life in the region.

• "O céu escuro ameaçava chuva forte a qualquer momento."

  The dark sky threatened heavy rain at any moment.

Usage

Regular -ar verb. Common constructions: "ameaçar alguém" (threaten someone), "ameaçar fazer algo" (threaten to do something), "ameaçar de morte" (threaten to kill). Can be used literally (direct threats) or figuratively (impending danger or weather conditions).