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
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
He was arrested while still on parole for swinging a filet knife at a fellow customer in a Walmart store in Englewood and sentenced to four years in prison for felony menacing, police said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 30 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 family is close-knit, intrusive, rude and menacing.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
He was arrested while still on parole for swinging a filet knife at a fellow customer in a Walmart store in Englewood and sentenced to four years in prison for felony menacing, police said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 30 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
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Notes The day got off to an ominous start when Cosmic Heat broke her left front leg entering the stretch in the first race and had to be euthanized.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The sheriff's office extended condolences to the child's family and loved ones, calling the incident a tragic reminder of how quickly conditions on the water can turn dangerous.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
As multiple cities around Jackson County move to ban types of unregulated and potentially dangerous ‘gas station drugs’ — specifically more potent variations of kratom — Lee’s Summit has not only joined the charge but has taken restrictions even further.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There is a danger, in climate planning, of investing in protection against the previous disaster rather than against the next—the engineer’s version of fighting the last war.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
There was not really a danger from Minnesota, honestly.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
5 Apr. 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
-
The Seminole Police Department did not identify the person who was shot, but said they had been transported to Memorial Regional Hospital and their injuries were not life-threatening.—
Diego Mendoza,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The injuries were not life-threatening, and an initial investigation did not suggest impaired driving was involved, according to Officer Sophie Lu of the CHP’s Redwood City office.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Secret churches, perilous conversions During the Palm Sunday service, the in-person audience at the nondenominational church was much smaller than on a typical Sunday, with only about a half-dozen members dotting the rows of blue chairs in front of the stage.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Zendaya joins the all-star cast as Greek goddess Athena, who protects Matt Damon’s Odysseus on his perilous journey back home to his family in Ithaca.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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