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
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Trump is now the symbol, but the movement started in 1992, the year the Soviet Union disintegrated, Gone was the communist menace.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 25 Feb. 2026
Ray Takeyh, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2025
But those states also have Republican governors, who would have raised holy hell if their constituents had been menaced by these roving mobs of mendicants.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
Noun
The force dispatched to the region is large enough to send a signal of real intent and menace, but probably not large enough to sustain a weekslong military offensive.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Trump is now the symbol, but the movement started in 1992, the year the Soviet Union disintegrated, Gone was the communist menace.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
Instead of continuing to menace Tehran, the president has declared victory and invited Iranians to talk.
—Ray Takeyh, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2025
But those states also have Republican governors, who would have raised holy hell if their constituents had been menaced by these roving mobs of mendicants.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
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For the United States and its allies, however, countering the Shahed threat appears to be a game of catch-up, some experts say.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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Although Iran has not made the closure official — the ban was announced by a Revolutionary Guard representative on national TV — its threats have proved to have teeth.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This is endangering American lives & has already resulted in mass civilian casualties.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Mar. 2026
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The spiraling conflict has also endangered millions of lives across the Middle East and left tens of thousands of foreign citizens stranded and at risk of being caught in the violence in the region.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The person said Mays presented himself as a professional gambler and allegedly threatened to take away the tipster’s child if the person exposed his activities.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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The American-Israeli military campaign set off a series of attacks and counterattacks that have hit or threatened several Gulf nations.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Some regional producers, including in Iraq, have curbed output amid dangers in the Strait of Hormuz.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
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Some regional producers, including in Iraq, have already curbed output amid dangers in the Strait of Hormuz.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Don't risk contaminating the soil, starting a fire, or worse to remove a stump.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
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Families and community advocates said the proposals risk disproportionately impacting Black and Latino students, focusing largely on downtown campuses while leaving many suburban schools in Almaden Valley untouched.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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