as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm
a loaded gun is a menace that this household doesn't need
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to endanger
to place in danger
menaced the children by leaving them in the car unattended
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to threaten
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 menace
Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Lighting by Jen Schriever and Arden is the show's secret weapon, sculpting the stage with moonlight, neon and menace.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
There’s real, sweat-inducing tension to scenes where Esther, alone at home with her children, is encircled and menaced by mobs of men preying on the easiest of targets.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for menace
Noun
The family documents describe comfortable lives and prosperous businesses blown apart by the war and the mounting Nazi menace.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Lighting by Jen Schriever and Arden is the show's secret weapon, sculpting the stage with moonlight, neon and menace.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Iran and its proxies have menaced America and American lives, undermined our core national interests, systematically destabilized the Middle East, and threatened the security of the entire West.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
There’s real, sweat-inducing tension to scenes where Esther, alone at home with her children, is encircled and menaced by mobs of men preying on the easiest of targets.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
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If needed, these personal alarms can be used to ward off threats, including people or animals, and serve to alert nearby rescue teams.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
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Iranian American actor Anthony Azizi says the continuing Middle East conflict has sparked rising persecution of Iran’s Baha’i minority, including its members being jailed and tortured under the threat of execution.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Critics warn that openly discussing armed resistance could endanger protesters, deepen divisions inside the opposition and risk pushing Iran toward civil war.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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Trump has accused Pope Leo XIV of being soft on terrorism and supporting negotiations with Iran, claiming the pontiff endangers Catholics by failing to oppose Iran’s potential acquisition of nuclear weapons.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The Padres were threatening to break a scoreless tie with runners on first and second with one out.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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Prosecutors highlighted allegations of previous behavior of the suspect in the filings, including allegedly admiring the 2018 Woolsey fire, burning a Bible, threatening to burn his sister’s house down and using ChatGPT to generate images of people running from a burning forest.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
Noun
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Critics may suggest that licenses for tradeworkers like electricians are still necessary given the dangers inherent to construction.—
Maxwell Harden,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
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All of us are in danger of losing our work to AI.—
Mark Phillips,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Assuming enough people are willing to risk millions to produce them.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
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The words also honor the spirit of immigrants—those who risk everything for hope, opportunity, and a chance to belong.—
Time,
Time,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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