menacing 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of menacingnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury fears that the unemployment rate may be reaching menacing proportions

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

menacing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of menace
1
as in endangering
to place in danger menaced the children by leaving them in the car unattended

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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

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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 menacing
Adjective
Thus, the program’s aim is to help form future officials, diplomats, and intelligence officers who will need to have a clear-eyed grasp of the menacing neighbor that shares more than 1,200 miles of border with Ukraine. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 27 June 2026 Using everything she's learned from Reacher and her time as a member of the 110 Special Investigators, Neagley puts herself on a dangerous path to uncover a menacing evil. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 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 menacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menacing
  1. ominous
  2. dangerous
  3. endangering
  4. threatening
  5. sinister
  6. hazardous
  7. perilous
  8. risky
Adjective
  • If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026
  • Instead, Mike Maignan got a confidence boost, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue combined for France’s fourth, and the favourites look more ominous than ever.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of ominous
Adjective
  • Teri handled higher-value finds and saw that potentially dangerous items – like firearms and knives – got to the local sheriff’s office.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Looking back through the sequence, Brazil have good numbers back and there is little need for anyone to overcommit — but a lazy tackle from behind leads to a free kick in a dangerous area.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of dangerous
Verb
  • Court records show Pawnell faces charges including second-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Based on the video, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office arrested and charged Cox with a felony for endangering the welfare of a physically disabled person.
    — Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Definition of endangering
Verb
  • Not long afterward, he was elected president on a platform deeply hostile to the West and its liberal ideology, and especially to the United States — threatening a hard fight in the event of war.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Severe thunderstorms are also forecast to develop later in the day, threatening fireworks displays and other outdoor events from the Plains to the Northeast with damaging winds, lightning and heavy downpours.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Definition of threatening
Adjective
  • Because everyone will have access to the same information, AI will accentuate the value of personal connections, again promoting lineages and networks that at their most extreme may appear to be sinister establishment conspiracies.
    — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • Soon, Pinocchio – under the influence of a sinister Cricket (Robert Englund) — goes on a killing rampage to free James from everyone evil around him, and becoming a real boy in the process — one piece at a time.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 27 June 2026
Definition of sinister
Adjective
  • Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • Response efforts were slowed as debris blocked roads and live wires created hazardous conditions.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of hazardous
Adjective
  • Thrown into the perilous odyssey of the quest for Europe, Gift recounts the memories that led to her departure.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • 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.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of perilous
Adjective
  • Achraf Hakimi looked to have another opportunity to take an open shot on goal in the 54th minute, until Dutch defender Micky van de Ven chased him down and made a risky tackle in the goal box.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • The groups that brought the lawsuit said the rule would require students to forgo their studies or take out riskier private loans.
    — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of risky

Browse Nearby Words

menaces
menacing
ménage
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Cite this Entry

“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on menacing

Nglish: Translation of menacing for Spanish Speakers

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