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

If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2025

With its stout bastions and menacing defense towers, Kaunas Castle is the epitome of a medieval citadel. —Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Part mystery and part coming-of-age story, Cline somehow manages to make even California sunshine feel menacing. —Bailey Seybolt, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Trauma bonded with her aunt (Alison Williams), the family duo are faced once again with a menacing next generation tech named Emilia. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025

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