death threat
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death threat
The explicit or implicit threat to kill a person.
Der Journalist erhielt nach der Veröffentlichung seines Artikels mehrere anonyme Morddrohungen.
The journalist received several anonymous death threats after the publication of his article.
This word is a clear compound of 'der Mord' (murder) and 'die Drohung' (threat). Its meaning is therefore literal: a threat to murder someone.
Eine Drohung ist schlimm, aber eine Morddrohung ist eine schwere Straftat.
A threat is bad, but a death threat is a serious criminal offense.
Common verbs in this context are 'eine Morddrohung erhalten' (to receive a death threat), 'bekommen' (to get), or 'ausstoßen' (to utter). Common adjectives are 'anonym' (anonymous) or 'ernst' (serious).
Der Politiker hat nach seiner Rede mehrere anonyme Morddrohungen erhalten.
The politician received several anonymous death threats after his speech.
To name the person who is being threatened, you use the preposition 'gegen' followed by the accusative.
Es gab eine Morddrohung gegen den Zeugen im Prozess.
There was a death threat against the witness in the trial.
threat
'die Bedrohung' and 'die Morddrohung' both have to do with danger and intimidation. 'Bedrohung' is more general: it can be a dangerous situation, but also an action in which someone is made afraid by threats of violence or bad consequences. The danger does not necessarily have to be death. 'Morddrohung' is much more specific and more serious: someone threatens to kill a person. Learners may confuse the words because both sound negative and dangerous. If the danger is general, 'Bedrohung' fits. If someone explicitly or clearly threatens to kill, it is called 'Morddrohung'.
Nach der Morddrohung bekam die Politikerin besonderen Schutz.
After the death threat, the politician received special protection.
Die Polizei nahm die Bedrohung ernst, weil der Mann schon früher gewalttätig war.
The police took the threat seriously because the man had been violent before.