About
The character "慑", derived from its traditional form "懾", structurally integrates the heart radical with the component "聂", which carries connotations of listening or whispering, thereby etymologically suggesting a state of fear or awe influenced by external sounds or presence. Over time, its meaning shifted from primarily denoting an internal experience of trepidation or respect to encompassing the active act of instilling such fear, as seen in terms like "威慑" for deterrence. This semantic expansion reflects a movement from passive emotion to active influence, while the character's composition, even in its simplified form, continues to highlight the psychological dimension through the heart element and the implied external source via "聂", preserving its core associations across historical linguistic development.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他的眼神很慑人。
核武器具有强大威慑力。
他用武力慑服了对手。
这场演讲足以慑服所有听众。
地震的消息震慑了整个城市。
法律的威慑作用很重要。
他那慑人的气势让在场的人都感到害怕。
通过经济制裁来威慑那些不遵守国际规则的国家。