Drohung

Drohung is a German noun meaning the act or instance of threatening someone with harm, punishment, or negative consequences. It can refer to a communicated warning that negative actions may follow if demands are not met, or more broadly to the intention to coerce another through fear of harm. The term derives from the verb drohen (to threaten) and has been in use in the German language since the Middle Ages; it is cognate with related terms in other Germanic languages and with the English word threat.

In German law, Bedrohung is a criminal offense defined in § 241 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) and punishes threatening another with harm or criminal acts. The distinction between a mere expression of a threat and an actual attempt to coerce depends on context and intent. If a threat is accompanied by coercive actions, related offenses such as Nötigung (coercion) or Erpressung (extortion) may apply.

In international law and diplomacy, a Drohung of force—whether diplomatic, economic, or military—is considered a form of coercive pressure. The UN Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of states, making such threats a central concern in security studies and diplomacy.

Beyond law and politics, Drohung is used in everyday language to describe intimidation in personal relationships, workplaces, or online environments. In psychology and communications, threat perception and the way threats are conveyed influence how a Drohung affects behavior and decision-making.