menacing

adjective

men·​ac·​ing ˈme-nə-siŋ 

: presenting, suggesting, or constituting a menace or threat : threatening

a menacing look

menacing words

[Harold E. Edgerton] … was also one of the first to take photographs of the menacing mushroom cloud emanating from a nuclear blast.

—Benjamin Genocchio

Ransomware is a menacing scam that involves locking businesses out of their computers and demanding payment of a ransom in exchange for the return of company systems and data.

—Roger Williams

The image is chilling: a series of menacing bear traps laid out like footsteps.

—Emily DeNitto

menacingly adverb

A man stepped menacingly from the corner brandishing a long pole …

—Elizabeth George Speare

"If you shout his name I will curse you into oblivion," muttered Tonks menacingly …

—J. K. Rowling

Examples of menacing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alas, the artistic conduit that Pari creates for her fears is a two-way street, and the film’s most unnerving scene, shot in a menacing slow zoom, observes in horror as a friendly post-show conversation sours into the stuff of a direct threat. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026

But not before Freddy applies an earlier safety lesson about harmful chemical cleaning products to subdue the suddenly menacing unicorn. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026

Its ghostly guitar melodies float as its basslines thud along, growing both more menacing and dejected as Katz’s depression becomes impossible to outrun. —Grace Robins-Somerville, Pitchfork, 23 Jan. 2026

At least a dozen states are already declaring emergencies ahead of the menacing forecast of ice, snow and sleet. —Phil Helsel, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English manacyng, from present participle of manacen "to menace entry 2"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above