1
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
warns that the emergence of new viruses is one of the most menacing developments we face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
fears that the unemployment rate may be reaching menacing proportions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in endangering
to place in danger
menaced the children by leaving them in the car unattended
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in threatening
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
stockpiles of nuclear weapons that continue to menace the inhabitants of this planet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of menacing
Nathanael Andrade, The Conversation, 11 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
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Adjective
Writers who lived in the Roman Empire portrayed judges as capricious, unaccountable or swayed by menacing crowds.
—Nathanael Andrade, The Conversation, 11 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
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menacing
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2025
-
Back to battle once again for their lives and a giant cash prize, the wordless preview sees contestants facing a series of high-stakes situations, involving guns, fists and an ominous giant gumball machine.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Maddison is responsible for dropping deep and pinging passes into dangerous areas, while Kulusevski and Bergvall are excellent ball-carriers.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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With all the drama unfolding at the Harrigan's, you could be forgiven for losing track of Harry's dangerous rescue mission.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
11 May 2025
Verb
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Officers are rarely — if ever — punished for hitting or endangering bystanders.—
Shelby Grad,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Still others chase a motorbike onto the sidewalk, endangering nearby pedestrians.—
Eric Umansky,
ProPublica,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Richard curses again, threatening Blum.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
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The Palisades fire has garnered headlines, but the Hurst and Eaton fires have also been threatening very populated areas.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
While investigating the case of a teenage girl left for dead in the woods, Luminița (34), a small-town police officer, risks being swallowed into a dark, sinister world, where the unlawful meets the occult.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
8 May 2025
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The real-life School of Rock founder’s former students tell a more sinister story By Ezra Marcus Hats Off! Daniel Berulis, a cyber-security expert and employee of the National Labor Relations Board.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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Heavy trucks still clog roads, and residents worry about toxic dust and soil, and about hazardous waste being dumped into local landfills.—
Francine Kiefer,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 May 2025
-
The Air Quality Index near fireworks often reaches the hazardous level which states everyone should avoid all physical activities outdoors.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But a downside surprise could be perilous considering the recent spate of bad economic news and the prevailing angst over the way President Donald Trump is implementing tariffs against U.S. trading partners.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
1 May 2025
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It’s now become emblematic of the fight to protect trans women during a politically perilous time.—
Denny,
Them.,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Meshi specializes in risky decision-making, impulsivity, and PSMU; his co-author and MSU colleague Maria Molina researches misinformation and disinformation.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2025
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In addition, a growing body of evidence suggests that larger vehicles are associated with riskier driving behaviors.—
Laurie Winkless,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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