脅 means “threaten”

おどす · odosu

Also: coerce

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

おびやかす, おどす, おどかす

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

キョウ

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 10 strokes

The story

Three forces (力力力) bearing down on the body (月, flesh): picture being pinned by brute strength. 脅す is to threaten, 脅迫 is threats or blackmail, a crime in the news, and 脅威 is a menace, like a typhoon bearing down.

Used in 脅す (odosu, to threaten), 脅迫 (kyouhaku, threat/intimidation), and 脅威 (kyoui, menace)

More from Fear & Shame

• 辱 disgrace
• 慌 panic
• 惧 dread
• 嚇 menace
• 凄 tremendous
• 畏 awe
• 慄 shudder
• 臆 timid
• 虞 risk
• 羞 shame
• 焦 fret

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.