menacing 1 of 2

1
2

menacing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of menace
1
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

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
But the action scenes never seem to galvanize, and somewhere along the line the predator, once a ruthless, unstoppable killing machine, has simply lost its menacing mojo. Damon Wise, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025 Fanning knows exactly to add a slightly Pollyanna-ish aura to her opportunistic yet optimistic synthetic, as well as a cold, menacing vibe when playing her evil synth twin. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
In the follow-up, the sinister killer seeks vengeance on Finn from beyond the grave by menacing his younger sister, Gwen, who is played by Madeleine McGraw. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025 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, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Trying to outrun the ominous presence, Eve will face the darkest parts of herself and uncover what she is made of.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Chicago is facing a dangerous lake-effect snow event early Monday morning.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Two decades ago, when the NFL's base offense consisted of two backs with a blocking tight end and only two wide receivers, an elite cornerback could often take away half of the dangerous receiving options.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In addition to the murder charge, Thompson faces charges of committing a terroristic act, aggravated assault, engaging in violent criminal group activity and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to the jail roster.
    Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Some of them could cause severe damage to space stations and satellites, endangering the global space economy floating above us, which is currently valued at more than $600 billion.
    Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Arsenal played attractive, threatening football, and looked poised for a rousing win.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • But as old tensions flare between them, Katie begins to experience terrifying visions and a ghostly presence warning of something sinister lurking aboard.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Which casts a show seemingly designed to bypass all judgments with respect to storytelling and taste, gliding straight to the pleasure center of some imaginary horny, enraged, shopaholic feminine id, in a fairly sinister light.
    Judy Berman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The result, Kahn says, is that parts of Earth’s orbital environment are rife with hazardous objects that can collide with vital space infrastructure.
    Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
  • All seven patients were cleared almost immediately and no hazardous materials turned up on base, Fox News is told.
    Jennifer Griffin , Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Even through a perilous run of Eastern Conference playoff contenders, riddled with late-game scenarios, Chicago has clutched its formula.
    Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Facing violence at home in Myanmar and increasingly difficult living conditions in sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh, Rohingya from both countries regularly attempt perilous journeys by sea, including to Malaysia and Indonesia.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The right-hander generated a ground ball to get the force out at home in an extremely close call, and the very next pitch was a risky fly out tracked down by Andy Pages (who entered the game after the bases were loaded).
    Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The seedless doctrine For years, Tangem campaigned against seed phrases as risky and error-prone, arguing that paper or metal backups become a single, theft-prone secret that ordinary people routinely mishandle.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on menacing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!