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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 28 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
James was also arraigned on harassment and menacing charges, accused of threatening an ex-girlfriend with a knife in a separate incident.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 28 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
-
Imagine the surprise, and relief, of all those allied troops who drove into Baghdad without once hearing the ominous cry GAS!—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That $67 ticket informed me that the airline was selling seats to fill planes and slashing staff and services to dangerous levels.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
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But the industry’s modern threats, while not wholly unprecedented, are dangerous in ways that are genuinely alarming.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But first leaders from both parties need to talk seriously about what is needed to protect our borders without endangering the rights and freedoms that make this country so attractive in the first place.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
-
According to court paperwork, Ian and Corrine Dryburgh have been charged with endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, and furnishing liquor to minors stemming from the incident that happened at a home in Plum Borough late last month.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Canada supported efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and from threatening international peace and security, Carney said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
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If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The murders themselves are obviously very sinister, but the circumstances surrounding them undermine the show’s drama and lean toward the absurd.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2026
-
But the updraft that struck Flight SQ321 was of a more sinister sort.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Large equipment can be hazardous to operate safely, and a large stump can outmatch a large skid steer.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Several people wearing hazardous materials gear walking into a home in Irvine where FBI officials are investigating suspicious materials that were found at a home laboratory.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
As one of South Africa’s most daring new voices, Meekaeel Adam makes his directorial debut in this gripping story, set in 1846, of a Dutch-Afrikaans family and their British benefactor who make the perilous journey across the Kalahari Desert, watched over by two shapeshifting spirits.—
Thinus Ferreira,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
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Raffensperger’s departure comes as FanDuel and parent Flutter try to bounce back from a perilous period.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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What enables someone to engage in this type of physically risky – even life-threatening – behavior?—
Catherine A. Sanderson,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Stock market volatility now makes traditional investing risky and unpredictable.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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