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Menace vs Frighten - What's the difference?

menace | frighten |

As verbs the difference between menace and frighten

is that menace is while frighten is to disturb with fear; to throw into a state of alarm or fright; to affright; to terrify.

menace

English

Etymology 1

First attested ante 1300: from the (etyl) manace, menace, from the (etyl) .

Noun

(menaces)
  • a perceived threat or danger
  • * Dryden
    • the dark menace of the distant war
  • the act of threatening
  • an annoying and bothersome person

    • References

    * “ menace, n.'']” listed in the '' [2nd Ed.; 1989

    Etymology 2

    First attested in 1303: from the (etyl) menacer, manecier, manechier and the (etyl) manasser, from the assumed , whence .

    Verb

    (transitive'' or ''intransitive )
  • To make threats against (someone); to intimidate.
    • to menace a country with war
  • * Shakespeare
    • My master did menace me with death.
  • To threaten (an evil to be inflicted).
  • * Shakespeare
    • By oath he menaced / Revenge upon the cardinal.
  • To endanger (someone or something); to imperil or jeopardize.

    • References

    * “ menace, v.'']” listed in the ''Oxford English Dictionary [2nd Ed.; 1989 ----

    frighten

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To disturb with fear; to throw into a state of alarm or fright; to affright; to terrify.

    • Synonyms

    * See also