menace 1 of 2

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
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
Pace is a menace as a pass rusher; coverage remains a work in progress, to put it nicely. Alec Lewis, New York Times, 9 July 2025 Aquarius: Doctor Octopus, aka Doc Ock Doctor Octopus, a multi-armed maniacal menace who's regarded as one of Spider-Man's most infamous enemies, aligns with Aquarius. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
Since seizing power, in 1979, Iran’s theocracy has menaced its more than ninety million citizens and the wider region. David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025 Potentially dangerous animals menaced the survivalists. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
  • The threat follows a 12-day war that left nearly 1,000 Iranians and dozens of Israelis dead, and comes amid a tense ceasefire negotiated after both U.S. military and Israeli strikes against Iran's nuclear program.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
  • Why This Work Matters Now Quantum threats may still be several years away—but cryptographic systems have long lifecycles.
    Dino DiMarino, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Just one incident can endanger life and necessitate an expensive manufacturer recall even if nobody got hurt.
    James Morris, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • They are endangered and their global population has declined 40% in the last three generations, according to the NOAA.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Florida has taken multiple other steps to back the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, including having its law enforcement work in agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and threatening punishments against localities in the state that decline to partner with ICE.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Beyond market volatility, Nvidia faces ongoing geopolitical challenges that threaten its access to one of its largest markets.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Recent flash flooding in Texas, New Mexico and North Carolina is highlighting the extreme dangers that these raging torrents of water can bring to communities in a matter of minutes.
    July 9, CBS News, 9 July 2025
  • In Mamdani’s case, religion and ideology were often conflated to create a dual narrative of threat—where being Muslim and socialist were seen as mutually reinforcing dangers.
    Juwayriah Wright, Time, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Without clear boundaries, AI companions risk becoming emotionally immersive experiences with few safeguards and no professional accountability.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • These included two strapping Irish setters, whose owner was relocating to London for work and did not want to risk shipping her pets as airborne cargo.
    Guy Trebay, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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