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
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Recent Examples of menace
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
In 2021, Kennedy had written in a book that measles — a virus the CDC says kills nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who contract it — wasn’t the menace that the government proclaimed.
—Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026
Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
Extreme heat fuels out of control bushfires Bushfires, fueled by the soaring temperatures, have menaced towns in the state of Victoria, prompting evacuations as volunteer firefighters attempted to douse flames around homes.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
Dennis Ross, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 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 menace
Noun
Shawn Hatosy is particularly feral here, injecting real menace into an otherwise absurd premise.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
In 2021, Kennedy had written in a book that measles — a virus the CDC says kills nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who contract it — wasn’t the menace that the government proclaimed.
—Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
There’s real, sweat-inducing tension to scenes where Esther, alone at home with her children, is encircled and menaced by mobs of men preying on the easiest of targets.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
Extreme heat fuels out of control bushfires Bushfires, fueled by the soaring temperatures, have menaced towns in the state of Victoria, prompting evacuations as volunteer firefighters attempted to douse flames around homes.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The jury acquitted Contreras-Gafaro of nine additional charges, including theft in a range of $20,000 to $100,000, felony menacing, third-degree assault, child abuse, false imprisonment and criminal mischief, according to court records.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Some argue that the only way to stop Iran from menacing the region and its people is to crush this regime.
—Dennis Ross, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 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 menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
-
When the soil is warm and dry and the last threat of frost has passed, focus on pruning, prepping and feeding your plants.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The organization's latest concern is AI in the classroom, which Moms for Liberty sees as a threat to parental control over education.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Those citing such ominous scenarios envisioned other possible dangers, including the debilitation of America’s security guarantees to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf oil exporters.—
Paul Blustein,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Certain signs, such as the recent decree by the municipal authorities of Damascus confining the sale of alcohol to Christian neighborhoods, are ominous.—
Alvaro Vargas Llosa,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Community members and city leaders say the combination of narrow streets, heavy foot traffic and frequent parking maneuvers can create dangerous conditions.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Assault with a dangerous weapon on a person 60 or older.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Israel, meanwhile, saw Nasser’s rising influence across the Arab world as a danger, and wanted an excuse to cut him down, and to target Palestinian fedayeen militants who were operating in Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula, which were both controlled by Egypt at the time.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Although winds will be mostly light, between 5 and 10 mph, the dry air combined with very dry vegetation will result in a continuation of elevated fire danger.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The receptionist works behind a period cabinet converted into the sort of desk Philip Marlowe would happily put his feet on and Art Deco ornamentations abound, from the beautiful clocks, to the slightly sinister candlesticks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The horror film stars Zazie Beetz as a housekeeper who works in a sinister high-rise apartment.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The advisory warns of snow, sleet, and heavy rain, with conditions likely to make roads slippery and hazardous.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Which is also super hazardous for someone in a massive suit running around [laughs].—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The man called 911 after the shooting and was taken to Boston Medical Center in Brockton with non-life threatening injuries.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in mitigating the risk of wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Both options would be prohibitively perilous, even before they had been telegraphed for over a week.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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