menace

noun

men·ace | \ˈme-nəs

Definition of menace

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a show of intention to inflict harm : threat exploding in menaces and threats of vengeance— George Meredith

2a : one that represents a threat : danger the intoxicated motorist is a menace to life and limb— Wayne Hughes

b : an annoying person her friends were beginning to find her a menace— Guy McCrone

menace

verb

menaced; menacing

Definition of menace (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to make a show of intention to harm menaced him with immediate expulsion— G. B. Shaw

2 : to represent or pose a threat to : endanger menaced by a group of toughs after his car goes kaput— Leah Rozen

intransitive verb

: to act in a threatening manner The bear menaced with its mouth wide open.

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Examples of menace in a Sentence

Noun

There was an atmosphere of menace in the city. She could hear the menace in his voice.

Verb

menaced the children by leaving them in the car unattended stockpiles of nuclear weapons that continue to menace the inhabitants of this planet

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But the reality is the world is not concerned with the largest state sponsor of terrorism, because the biggest worry, the biggest menace in the area of terrorism comes not from states but non-state actors like ISIS and Al Qaeda. — Amy Kellogg, Fox News, "Trump could pull off a 'North Korea' with Iran, experts say," 11 May 2018 Privacy - Terms While the colors in Ogden’s painting are bright and the handling bold, there is a feeling of melancholy, mutability, even menace in the image. — Victoria Dalkey, sacbee, "This artist's works will blow you away in Sacramento exhibit," 20 Apr. 2018 Before Mo Salah came along and shattered records, Kane was the Premier League's top goal-scoring menace. — Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, "FIFA World Cup: 14 players who could be in next wave of soccer’s elite," 14 June 2018 But the actual setting is supposed to be nearly silent, and the constant noise undercuts the show’s potential menace. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "Something Is Damp in the State of Denmark," 11 May 2018 However, the resentful Ike remains a constant phantom menace, always lurking in the shadows. — Stephen Dalton, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Tina': Theater Review," 17 Apr. 2018 Mbappé announced his menace from the game’s opening moments. — Joshua Robinson, WSJ, "A Teenage Star Speeds France Past Argentina in World Cup," 30 June 2018 But choosing their words and even their clothes carefully never protected black activists from being viewed as a menace to (white) society. — Crystal Marie Fleming, Vox, "Maxine Waters and the trope of the “angry black woman”," 29 June 2018 Muhammad bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi, the main power in the United Arab Emirates, regards the Brothers as a menace. — The Economist, "Muslims but not brothersSaudi Arabia turns against political Islam," 23 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Japan has been directly menaced by North Korean missiles fired over its waters and land, and is seen as a primary target because of its decadeslong security alliance with the United States and the presence of US forces on its soil. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump dangles White House visit for North Korea’s Kim if summit goes well," 8 June 2018 Patricia Richardson was the publisher when Ramos sent menacing tweets five years ago. — Fox News, "The Latest: Priest highlights work of 5 slain journalists," 30 June 2018 He was arraigned in early April on two felony charges, criminal mischief in the second degree and criminal mischief in the third degree, and 10 misdemeanor charges ranging from menacing to reckless endangerment. — Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, "Conor McGregor in plea negotiations over his April bus attack, receives new hearing date," 14 June 2018 And much of that unit returns to menace opposing offenses in 2018. — Iliana Limón Romero, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Wyoming in No. 51 in 2018 preseason college football rankings," 7 July 2018 Some men have openly vowed to menace women drivers, sparking the Saudi government to issue a new antiharassment law that came into effect earlier this month. — Margherita Stancati And Donna Abdulaziz, WSJ, "Saudi Women Drivers Face One Last Roadblock: Saudi Men," 21 June 2018 My favorite moment in the theater were the waves of oh-my-Gods as people realized one by one that something menacing was lurking just behind a character’s head onscreen. — Allison P. Davis, The Cut, "Is Hereditary Really As Scary As Everyone Says?," 11 June 2018 Mellado’s gif postcards from Puerto Rico show a lovely country menaced by global warming. — Susan Dunne, courant.com, "Travel-Themed Exhibit 'Wish You Were Here' In New Haven," 23 June 2018 By the time Maria hit, wooden power poles were rotted, transmission towers had rusted through and overgrown trees menaced thousands of miles of power lines. — Michael Weissenstein, chicagotribune.com, "Puerto Rico grid 'teetering' despite $3.8 billion repair job," 30 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'menace.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for menace

Noun

Middle English manace, from Anglo-French manace, menace, from Latin minacia, from minac-, minax threatening, from minari to threaten — more at mount

Verb

see menace entry 1

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Last Updated

18 Oct 2018

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Time Traveler for menace

The first known use of menace was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for menace

menace

noun

English Language Learners Definition of menace

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a dangerous or possibly harmful person or thing

: someone who causes trouble or annoyance

: a dangerous or threatening quality

menace

verb

English Language Learners Definition of menace (Entry 2 of 2)

: to threaten harm to (someone or something)

See the full definition for menace in the English Language Learners Dictionary

menace

noun

men·ace | \ˈme-nəs

Kids Definition of menace

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : danger sense 2 That vicious dog is a menace.

2 : an annoying person

menace

verb

menaced; menacing

Kids Definition of menace (Entry 2 of 2)

: to threaten harm to The pirates menaced the ship's passengers.

menace

noun

men·ace | \ˈme-nəs

Legal Definition of menace

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a show of an intention to inflict especially physical harm accomplished against a person's will by means of force,…menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury — California Penal Code

2 : one who represents a threat