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
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
But Verbinski juices it up with some cool menace in snake-like cables and a vicious army of robotic toys, which might be the director’s winking homage to Barbarella.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for menace
Noun
But the ability to beat back our more routine pathological menaces is a good indicator of the country’s ability to take on bigger, more virulent threats.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
But Verbinski juices it up with some cool menace in snake-like cables and a vicious army of robotic toys, which might be the director’s winking homage to Barbarella.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
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
See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
-
Trump later dropped that threat.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Trump has been outspoken about his plans to acquire Greenland, citing national security threats from Russia and China.—
Sarah Davis,
The Hill,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And just around the next corner appears the dress itself, with its giant organza skirt covered in feathers that, we’re assured, are common and not endangered.—
Jane Wooldridge,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
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Wood storks were listed as endangered in 1984, when its population had dropped by over 75 percent—from roughly 20,000 nesting pairs to about 5,000 nesting pairs—primarily due to wetland loss.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its nuclear program and over Tehran's crackdown on nationwide protests.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The fitness of the second and third generations is threatened by the very privilege they are born into.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Whether your location will experience a partial solar eclipse or an annular solar eclipse, the dangers are the same.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of this or any avalanche center.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Still, critics say the controversy risks distracting from preparations for the Games and eroding public confidence in the organizing committee.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Colbert has little to risk by publicly taking on CBS management as his program is ending in May.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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