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, 1 July 2025

The real version of Dave is equal parts pitiful and menacing, seductive and unable to fully pass himself as a normal person. —Alison Herman, Variety, 28 June 2025

Seconds later they are confronted by the Front Man, who has traded his Player 001 green tracksuit for a menacing gray ensemble and a black mask. —Yasmeen Hamadeh, People.com, 27 June 2025

Guzman Irvin is facing murder, assault, menacing, and criminal tampering charges for the fatal clash with Jose Reyes, 35, near the corner of Seneca Ave. near Gates Ave. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 June 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