menace 1 of 2

noun

ˈme-nəs How to pronounce menace (audio)
Definition of menacenext
as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm a loaded gun is a menace that this household doesn't need

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menace

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to endanger
to place in danger menaced the children by leaving them in the car unattended

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of menace
Noun
Every passing lawn and meadow, every winding path through the woods, seemed to hide a lurking menace. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 In terms of foreseeability especially, there is no essential difference between the type of genetic threat at issue here and the menace of infection, contagion or a threat of physical harm. — M. Sara Rosenthal, STAT, 25 June 2026
Verb
Fueled by gusting winds and warm temperatures, multiple large wildfires continued to menace Southern California on Wednesday, prompting thousands of residents to evacuate, authorities said. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 May 2026 Donald menaced Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow all game, recording two sacks, four combined tackles, two tackles for loss, and three QB hits in one of the most dominant defensive performances in Super Bowl history. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
  1. threat
  2. endanger
  3. threaten
  4. danger
  5. risk
Noun
  • Being on the fringes of the MVP tier as an annual 100-point pace threat while being paid just $8 million for a long time will have that effect.
    — Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • But the threat alone has persuaded some ships to abandon their plans to exit the Red Sea heading south.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of threat
Verb
  • Officials also expressed concern that any attack carried out during a crowded public event could endanger civilians, explaining why additional protective measures will be implemented at public meetings, press conferences and other appearances.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
  • The driver exited the freeway into Koreatown and continued speeding through surface streets, at times crossing into opposing lanes and endangering morning commuters.
    — Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of endanger
Verb
  • Ironically, as the office-to-residential boom has consumed millions of square feet of space, the office vacancy rate has declined and leasing has picked up, threatening converters’ ability to acquire properties at rock-bottom prices.
    — Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026
  • Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has previously threatened to build his own nuclear weapons should Iran acquire the bomb.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of threaten
Noun
  • But the remote Indigenous community says that on that Monday, July 13, they were told by the Ministry of Natural Resources there was no immediate danger.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Proponents say open-source practices promote innovation, while critics warn that making powerful AI models publicly accessible poses safety and security dangers.
    — Matt O'Brien, Fortune, 18 July 2026
Definition of danger
Verb
  • Without a framework to continuously evaluate priorities, companies risk scaling activity instead of value.
    — Antoine Villata, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Use a soaker hose or watering can to direct moisture to the roots without risking wet foliage and fungal diseases.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 July 2026
Definition of risk

Browse Nearby Words

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menace
menaced
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Cite this Entry

“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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