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
Neda Ulaby, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Tipping hints at an aura of menace surrounding young Cade, some dark, pseudospiritual force threatening to pull him in.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
David Denby, Vulture, 3 July 2025
Iran has supplied Russia with its Shahed explosive drones, also known as kamikaze uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that have long menaced Ukrainian cities.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
Cue Pennywise's menacing laughter and our first glimpse of the killer clown behind his signature red balloon.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
Noun
His mentor Isaiah White is played with low-key menace by Marlon Wayans, the multi-hyphenate Hollywood legend known for acting in, writing and producing multiple iterations of the Scary Movie franchise, among many other films, shows and comedy specials.
—Neda Ulaby, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Tipping hints at an aura of menace surrounding young Cade, some dark, pseudospiritual force threatening to pull him in.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
The reptilian head, the jaws with sharpened teeth have menaced people in Aliens, Gremlins, Predator, and other movies.
—David Denby, Vulture, 3 July 2025
Iran has supplied Russia with its Shahed explosive drones, also known as kamikaze uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that have long menaced Ukrainian cities.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Adjective
The series ends on a dark note with a menacing shot of the Queen of the Dead before the screen goes black.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
Cue Pennywise's menacing laughter and our first glimpse of the killer clown behind his signature red balloon.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
-
At least eight Salvadoran officials who had been investigating MS-13 and corruption, including some who had worked with Vulcan agents, fled the country after threats, harassment, and searches of their homes and offices.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
-
But the Yates family’s lawsuit argues that both deputies and psychiatric staff knew Ruis posed a threat.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Lately, some employees are noticing an ominous trend in their career trajectories.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The Giants tanked immediately after acquiring a high-profile superstar with a nine-figure contract, which was inexplicable, unexpected and ominous.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This neurological response evolved to keep our ancestors alive in genuinely dangerous situations.—
Anne-Laure Le Cunff,
Big Think,
29 Sep. 2025
-
In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For Moura, the echoes of Brazil’s dictatorship and the dangers of authoritarianism repeating itself, fed directly into The Secret Agent.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The greater danger is that alarmist messaging will discourage pregnant women from treating pain or fever – putting both themselves and their babies at risk.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Unfortunately, things take a sinister turn when Laura's followers enter the room, undress, and begin passing the baby around.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Sep. 2025
-
What starts as a strained father-daughter relationship soon evolves into something far more sinister.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Soon enough, the hazardous conditions overwhelm the area and Kevin has to get creative with maps and his driving skills, plus embrace a daredevil spirit, for even a chance of making it out alive with his young charges.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
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The computer scientists used an AI program to generate DNA codes for more than 75,000 variants of hazardous proteins – and the firewalls used by DNA manufacturers weren't consistently able to catch them.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Smaller space rocks like 2025 TF are harder to spot, in part because the network of telescopes is optimized to catch larger and more threatening objects.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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The victims' injuries were later determined to be non-life-threatening, court documents stated.—
Michelle Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This context and backdrop adorns the film with considerable energy, various colorful personalities and smartly edited archival news footage that deepens our understanding of the perilous stakes.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
-
My hope was that exploring the past in a nuanced way might offer insight into our surprising and perilous present.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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