as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm
a loaded gun is a menace that this household doesn't need
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to endanger
to place in danger
menaced the children by leaving them in the car unattended
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of menace
Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Their characters try to help when the Fisherman, a hook-wielding murderous menace in a rain slicker, returns to haunt yet another group of youngsters with no respect for road safety.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
While much higher than pre-Trump, that number is down from the 30% level being menaced by the U.S.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 29 July 2025
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
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
Noun
The movie tries to pick up the threads of previous films, but, in attempting to make Myers more mystical, this film robs him of his knife-edge menace.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Their characters try to help when the Fisherman, a hook-wielding murderous menace in a rain slicker, returns to haunt yet another group of youngsters with no respect for road safety.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Receivers Chris Marshall and Ben Ford menaced the Eagles’ secondary, and No. 3 running back Dylan Riley tore through the defense the same way Gaines did.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
While much higher than pre-Trump, that number is down from the 30% level being menaced by the U.S.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 29 July 2025
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 menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
-
Unfortunately, Packers quarterback Jordan Love will go into the game without one of his top receiving threats, who came into the game with a questionable tag.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Every team is a threat in the league.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
-
People get in the bathtub, think something, bathe themselves and then stand up from the bathwater, all of this is rather ordinary, but even the most ordinary thing in this world can conceal considerable danger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Sensing danger, Charlie doubles down on sucking up.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
10 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
-
The illness can be dangerous or life-threatening, particularly to older adults, those with weakened immune systems and pregnant women.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Eight students and the Suburban's driver reportedly suffered injuries in the crash that were not life-threatening.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 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
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.
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