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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
fears that the unemployment rate may be reaching menacing proportions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of menacing
Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Munguia is facing charges of felony menacing, obstructing a peace officer, violation of a protection order, and motor vehicle trespass.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
As the two catch up, Crudup veers from good-natured to sorrowful to bitter to menacing in a matter of minutes.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Adjective
But for an unwilling or unprepared person immersed in this place, these attributes can become much more menacing.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Munguia is facing charges of felony menacing, obstructing a peace officer, violation of a protection order, and motor vehicle trespass.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Chinese, too, are absolutely shocked that a great power is menacing a small neighbor and inflicting regime change by military force.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
As the two catch up, Crudup veers from good-natured to sorrowful to bitter to menacing in a matter of minutes.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menacing
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The image finds the actors during an ominous twilight hour somewhere in coastal Taiwan.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
As Son combined with Denis Bouanga – MLS’ most dangerous attacker three years running – the club counted 19 of its last 22 regular-season goals (plus four of six in the postseason) thanks to them.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
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Ten manufacturers of ultraprocessed foods are also facing a lawsuit, filed in December by San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, that alleges companies knowingly engineered and marketed addictive, dangerous products while hiding the risks and causing a public health crisis.—
Sarah Koch,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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What was Koch thinking, endangering children like this?—
Bill Donahue,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
-
At the same time, any proposals moving through the Legislature cannot come at the expense of endangering essential services that keep our city clean, safe, and functioning.—
Andrea Keiser,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Yet videos reviewed by CNN showed officers regularly detaining or threatening to arrest people who never appeared to cross that line.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Jackson aimed his trademark fiery dynamism at studio and network executives, forming the Rainbow Coalition on Fairness in the Media — an offshoot of his Rainbow Coalition that focused on social justice and economic equality — and threatening boycotts against projects that excluded minorities.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Redfellow wealth is old money — which in the age of the Epstein files is starting to acquire a more sinister aura than ever.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Often lush, but occasionally sinister, this is a France of rustic auberges rather than refined arrondissements.—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Inspectors found shortcomings such as employing unqualified instructors, failing to test students’ skills or teach them how to handle hazardous materials and using the wrong equipment to teach drivers.—
Josh Funk,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
An image of public entities failing to comply with the law about lead paint, hazardous trash collection, or other public hazards.—
Emily Galvin Almanza,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But the unstable snowpack, high winds and whiteout conditions made search-and-recovery efforts too perilous, prompting first responders to leave behind the bodies of deceased skiers and suspend operations on Wednesday and Thursday.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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The island is a stop on one of the deadliest migration routes in the world, and migrants who arrive there have often made a perilous journey across the sea.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Most defense analysts agree that an invasion would be costly, bloody and highly risky for China, Taiwan and any countries that come to Taiwan’s aid, such as the United States or Japan.—
Eryk Michael Smith,
FOXNews.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
That begs the question of whether silver is just too risky a bet in retirement these days.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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