menacing 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of menacingnext
1
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come warns that the emergence of new viruses is one of the most menacing developments we face

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury fears that the unemployment rate may be reaching menacing proportions

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

menacing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of menace
1
as in endangering
to place in danger menaced the children by leaving them in the car unattended

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in threatening
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 menacing
Adjective
Lytonja Barfield, 58, was arrested on five counts of menacing after an investigation by the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office. — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 Gregory drew her as mean, menacing, and thoroughly indifferent to male-centric standards of beauty and decorum. — Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
Dennis Hopper won a Best Villain MTV Movie Award for menacing a bus in this film. — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026 He was charged with criminal use of a firearm and menacing a police officer. — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for menacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menacing
  1. ominous
  2. dangerous
  3. endangering
  4. threatening
  5. sinister
  6. hazardous
  7. perilous
  8. risky
Adjective
  • On a narrative level, the whole mad scene seems to mirror the ominous final moments of the previous two Lioness missions.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In the younger woman’s presence, Rita finds that the ominous ticking clock in her mind goes silent.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of ominous
Adjective
  • The most dangerous place on the field in the third quarter was your own 38 yard line!
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • ShotSpotter offers targeted detection of a dangerous event versus technology like Flock's indiscriminate collection of innocent people's movements.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Verb
  • Diontae Nicole Beckett, 25, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the child's death in a Leacock Township hotel on May 11, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.
    — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Steppach, 49, was the owner of Tim’s Tavern on Edison Avenue, where people protested daily in December after Steppach pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.
    — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of endangering
Verb
  • But Hal plays 5-D chess with Hector, threatening him — at the risk of John’s parents being blown up!
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The Lions controlled the game from start to finish, putting in one of their most complete performances of the season while keeping a dangerous San Diego side from threatening.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of threatening
Adjective
  • As Chris, a veteran CIA assassin with terminal cancer whose memory also seems to be going, Malkovich demonstrates a sinister insouciance that at first looks like psycho gloating.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Where does a muse end and something much more sinister begin?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of sinister
Adjective
  • Forecasters are expecting rain and hazardous ocean conditions.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The open valve was hazardous for delivery drivers who were breathing toxic air, said the worker, whose name was not disclosed in the report.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of hazardous
Adjective
  • At that perilous moment, the players put football in perspective and sensed the historical implications of failing to acknowledge the event’s gravity.
    — Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Much like The Pynk, this series has survived and thrived in perilous times, buoyed by the love and support of the greatest fanbase on EARF.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of perilous
Adjective
  • Price controls don't make scarce goods abundant, risky loans safe or bad choices cost-free.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The California Fast Food Workers Union‘s organizing director, Maria Maldonado, said workers often are unaware of their rights regarding heat exposure and other risky conditions common in kitchens.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of risky

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Cite this Entry

“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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