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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of menace
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Arsenal were crying out for more menace in that area of the pitch, and Gyokeres looks like giving them it.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
George Avalos, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
Down the road from Ford’s Essex Engine Plant in Windsor, Colby Wu, co-owner of Stratus Plastics, laid out a series of near-death experiences that have menaced the company founded by his father, William Wu, who came with his family as refugees from Mao’s China in 1965.
—Ian Austen, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
Noun
The cast rattles off the snappy dialogue, jagged with tension and menace, in performances that wink just slyly enough at the wry, knowing way that the characters deploy—and embody—gangland stereotypes.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Arsenal were crying out for more menace in that area of the pitch, and Gyokeres looks like giving them it.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
The August 2024 blaze forced some people to flee as the flames menaced their homes, witnesses told this news organization.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
Down the road from Ford’s Essex Engine Plant in Windsor, Colby Wu, co-owner of Stratus Plastics, laid out a series of near-death experiences that have menaced the company founded by his father, William Wu, who came with his family as refugees from Mao’s China in 1965.
—Ian Austen, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
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It was postponed indefinitely due to the federal takeover threat.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
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The threats are sometimes even leveled against family members.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Though Smith was charged with four counts of assault for scaring and endangering the villagers, troopers did not say he was involved in his mother’s death.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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In a tide election, that could endanger seats that were previously safely Republican.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trump has also taken an unusually hands-on approach to pressure policy and leadership changes at a slew of colleges and universities by freezing, or threatening to withhold, federal funding at campuses, including Columbia, George Mason, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, Brown, and Michigan.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
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The clause allows a NATO member to convene a meeting of allies to consult on an issue that could threaten its security.—
Will Gretsky,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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One major priority of the CCP in this realm is to produce scientific papers on the dangers of climate change and the utility of alternative forms of energy.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
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The public often does not see the danger because the consequences are hidden in the future.—
Les Rubin,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Civil liberties campaigners across Britain and beyond swiftly condemned the designation, warning that applying terrorism laws to such a group risks chilling free speech and assembly, while also setting a dangerous precedent for protest rights.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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With the country leaning in a Republican direction, donors could be less apt to risk donating to Biden.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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