menace 1 of 4

as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm a loaded gun is a menace that this household doesn't need

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

menace

2 of 4

verb (1)

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2
as in to threaten
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

menacing

3 of 4

adjective

1
2

menacing

4 of 4

verb (2)

present participle of menace

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 menace
Noun
He’s grown a bit jaded, having lived under constant menace for some time now. Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025 This fun sci-fi horror comedy that suggests the tactic of remaining drunk to survive an alien creature's murderous menace is the perfect way to indulge in St. Patrick's Day while tipping back a pint or two. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
China, a rising power, subverted Hong Kong, menaced Taiwan, and sterilized Uyghur Muslims in camps, all while the liberal international order effectively shrugged and made its next purchase from Temu. Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025 But, in a shift, countries that have been close trading partners of the United States also saw their economies menaced. Annie Correal, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
In Washington, Trump’s approval rating fell to a new low amid rising prices and sinking consumer confidence — even before new tariffs unveiled Wednesday are expected to exacerbate those menacing trends. Mike Lillis, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025 Until Henry momentarily excuses himself from the table, that is, and the person or persons behind these winky-wink messages tell her to poison Henry ASAP or the menacing guy currently hiding in her apartment will kill her boy. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
  • There is no sudden threat to your bank details or phone data or identity or anything else.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Detecting their acoustic signatures, the Sentry nodes can process the information, identify the threat, and recommend a course of action to the human commander, who can authorize a swarm of AUVs to engage the hostile with a barrage of small but deadly torpedoes.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The increasing suicide rates of the elderly in rapidly aging Japan and South Korea are an ominous sign.
    The Editors, National Review, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Harvard-Westlake, last year’s Division 1 runner-up, is still dangerous with sophomore pitcher Justin Kirchner (7-0) and junior center fielder James Tronstein.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Activists have criticized clearing acres of trees, said that a firing range on campus could be dangerous and that the project would change the Matthews campus’ culture for the worse.
    Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Two other victims are listed in court documents as being put in substantial danger of death during the shooting.
    Gael Langdon, Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Dominick Austin, Dania Beach Due process in grave danger You’re awakened at 3 a.m. by a banging on your front door.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Or, more likely, The Sentry is simply the benevolent mirror image of that shadowy, sinister entity that emerges after Bob Reynolds ingests a super serum.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • However, what was happening behind the scenes was more sinister than what the public thought.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Although with the right tools, tough jobs can be a lot easier, faster, and even less hazardous in the case of sharp tools.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Emmet Pierson, president of Community Builders, has said that rampant crime in the area has been a deterrent for customers and created hazardous working conditions for the store’s employees.
    David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There hasn’t been much threatening beyond the top two lines, not with McMann struggling to score and Nick Robertson, seventh on the team in goals during the regular season, out of the lineup.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Brower was arrested and transported to Troop E where he was processed and charged with first-degree threatening display of a firearm and second-degree breach of peace.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The original film tells the story of a perilous trip undertaken by Hikari 109, a high-speed, first-generation bullet train traveling from Tokyo to Hakata.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Albi opened in early 2020, a perilous time for any new business to kick off.
    Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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