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
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
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Recent Examples of menacing
Phil Helsel, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
For someone who’s played a menacing collection of pretty bad dudes on screen for over three decades, Tony Goldwyn is a really nice guy.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 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
At least a dozen states are already declaring emergencies ahead of the menacing forecast of ice, snow and sleet.
—Phil Helsel, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
For someone who’s played a menacing collection of pretty bad dudes on screen for over three decades, Tony Goldwyn is a really nice guy.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 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
-
One prospect is as ominous as that of a government capturing its universities for political purposes — a government encouraging antisemitism under the guise of opposing it.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
-
But experts warn that the Iranian regime has learned an ominous lesson.—
Ilan Berman,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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More than a billion phones are now ineligible for security updates at a time when the threat landscape has never been more dangerous.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The church opened its warming center over the weekend, anticipating the arrival of the winter storm and the dangerous drop in temperatures.—
Leondra Head,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Opponents worry about breaking existing environmental protections for the region, and endangering the treaty altogether.—
Christian Elliott,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Falling into a frozen pond or pool can result in life-endangering hypothermia.—
Amanda McCoy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There were some really interesting things happening where this is getting rolled into health curriculum and addressing this just like any other risky behavior and educating kids instead of punishing them or threatening them.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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Under the country’s existing laws, people could lose their citizenship status over crimes threatening the state like terrorism, but the new bill expands the list of offenses.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
One of them has fashioned a sinister balaclava out of his cap and neck gaiter.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
-
While the visual effect can be startling, there is nothing sinister at play.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Coming back from the dead can be hazardous to your health.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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To do so would be rude, politically perilous, insulting to our biggest trade partner and just plain weird.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Not an easy task at a moment of perilous global politics.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Competing on a shredded ligament sounds risky for long-term knee health, but that’s not necessarily the case, Daniel Kaplan, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at NYU Langone Health, tells SELF.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
3 Feb. 2026
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Our reporting reveals that members and related officials have encouraged protesters to impede law enforcement; pushed civilians toward legally and physically risky confrontations; and helped mobilize a counterprotest that turned violent.—
Christina Buttons,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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