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
The preacher sought refuge from a menacing bear by climbing a tree. — Alfred H. Moses, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2026 His friends and family received a barrage of menacing threats. — Todd Wallack, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
The midterm elections are looming and the first hurricane of the Atlantic Season is menacing the Gulf Coast. — Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Dennis Hopper won a Best Villain MTV Movie Award for menacing a bus in this film. — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 20 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
  • The film fairly vibrates with ominous tension even in scenes in which seemingly nothing happens.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The horror movie takes place in Vision’s mind-mansion, which Butcherbird has filled with red light, dark shadows, and ominous imagery.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of ominous
Adjective
  • Swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Fresh to strong winds will produce dangerous boating conditions, high surf, life-threatening rip currents, and moderate beach erosion through at least the first half of the coming week, forecasters said.
    — Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Verb
  • Delron Pickens, of Independence, was charged with one count of vehicle hijacking and one count of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child in Jackson County Circuit Court on Sunday.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Zin is a Myanmar scholar who was detained in June and accused of endangering China’s national security.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of endangering
Verb
  • Singapore is now threatening to prosecute companies responsible for the wildfires.
    — Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Despite early reports Thursday night of passengers on the flight physically threatening flight crew members, that’s not what materialized, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of threatening
Adjective
  • Ancient myths and modern cinema depict bogs as sinister locales, dangerous to cross, and fatal to get trapped in.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • That’s when things took a strange and somewhat sinister turn.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of sinister
Adjective
  • Ultimately, the greatest impacts will be determined by the storm's track, but periods of heavy rain and wind, along coastal flooding, beach erosion, and hazardous surf are a concern, especially for the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Preliminary tests indicate the substance is not hazardous; the letters prompted evacuations and police responses, with no injuries reported in the California incidents described.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of hazardous
Adjective
  • Christopher Nolan’s recent film reminded me of another time when the world was awash in ambiguity and leaders needed to navigate the perilous voyage across unfamiliar territory.
    — Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Two Utah residents who hiked Mount Shasta in Northern California were rescued after they became stranded during a perilous 36-hour journey through freezing conditions.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of perilous
Adjective
  • The fact fraternity alumni donate more makes getting rid of fraternities financially risky for schools.
    — Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Representatives Lori Trahan and Jay Obernolte have advanced the FRONTIER Act, which would authorize government intervention against risky models and override some state laws.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of risky

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menaces
menacing
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Cite this Entry

“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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