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

Pulisic, at his best, is a menacing threat for opposing teams. —Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 1 June 2026

If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2026

But some menacing messages – such as death threats – can demand the attention of the courts. —Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 29 May 2026

Alamo’s face appears, from time to time, his sharp eyes hidden behind a pair of menacing sunglasses. —Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 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