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
Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Often, menace is not reticent to show itself.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
Pop-culture figures like Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman are so ubiquitous as to be both movie characters and parodies of themselves, and this DuckTales episode is good for any kids that like monsters but aren’t quite ready to be menaced by them yet.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
Noun
Whoever undergoes the deliverance ceremony is thereafter haunted by a shape-shifting menace invisible to everyone but the person being pursued.
—Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Often, menace is not reticent to show itself.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
The costume was designed by Adrian Adolph Greenburg, who went by Gilbert Adrian professionally, and became the one used in the film after an original was deemed not menacing enough.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
Pop-culture figures like Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman are so ubiquitous as to be both movie characters and parodies of themselves, and this DuckTales episode is good for any kids that like monsters but aren’t quite ready to be menaced by them yet.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
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Justin Mesael Novoa, 21, was charged with making threatening interstate communications, including threats to assault or murder a federal law enforcement officer, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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European allies welcomed news of the framework, but some warned that the damage to the EU-US relationship is already done, even after the US backed away from threats to hit them with additional trade tariffs over their opposition to a US takeover.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Data centers are being built at a rapid pace to meet the growing resource needs of AI, thereby endangering natural habitats.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
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But administration officials also have defended the immigration crackdown and the federal agents involved, blaming protesters for interfering with law enforcement operations and accusing critics of endangering agents.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Deep divisions over the conflict in the Middle East threatened to tear the campus in two.—
Chicago Tribune,
Twin Cities,
25 Jan. 2026
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Justin Mesael Novoa, 21, was charged with making threatening interstate communications, including threats to assault or murder a federal law enforcement officer, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The usage has also led to improved community engagement surrounding the dangers of celebratory gunfire, an issue that has plagued Kansas City for years, Becchina said.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
12 Jan. 2026
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This windfall and the attendant political benefits for the governor have come at public expense, as the dangers of marijuana become tragically apparent.—
Cory Franklin,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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City started their last league phase game in 25th and risked elimination, but came from behind at home to beat Club Brugge 3-1 and climb to 22nd.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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To risk playing a rich man for the first time — so, not your average Italian or what has been defined as such.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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