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
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
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Recent Examples of menacing
Chris McMullen, Space.com, 11 July 2025
Mark Strong’s menacing villain is a bit of a drip, and the finale devolves into CG overkill.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
The 2005 film incarnation terrorized moviegoers with menacing aliens bent on destroying everything in their path, including one very young and very scared Dakota Fanning.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 3 July 2025
Troy Morrow was also charged with a single count of menacing, a misdemeanor, court filings show.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Adjective
Naturally, the latter's lightsaber is a menacing red.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 11 July 2025
Mark Strong’s menacing villain is a bit of a drip, and the finale devolves into CG overkill.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
The 2005 film incarnation terrorized moviegoers with menacing aliens bent on destroying everything in their path, including one very young and very scared Dakota Fanning.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 3 July 2025
Troy Morrow was also charged with a single count of menacing, a misdemeanor, court filings show.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menacing
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 July 2025
-
The signs in Iran are ominous—and the pleas from Iranian Jewish elders may now go unheard.—
Roya Hakakian,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Making Their Lives Too Easy Wealth without work creates a dangerous illusion.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
While air temperatures on Friday were forecasted in the 70s, water temperatures in the region remained in the dangerous mid-50s range.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Officers are rarely — if ever — punished for hitting or endangering bystanders.—
Shelby Grad,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Still others chase a motorbike onto the sidewalk, endangering nearby pedestrians.—
Eric Umansky,
ProPublica,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Richard curses again, threatening Blum.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The Palisades fire has garnered headlines, but the Hurst and Eaton fires have also been threatening very populated areas.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Before long, his life is plagued by a series of mysterious, sinister incidents that threaten to upend his success and bring about a most violent demise.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 July 2025
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He’s then forced to compete in a sinister game of hide-and-seek, where even more players are eliminated.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
By taking on hazardous or monotonous jobs, AEON allows human workers to focus on higher-value activities, helping companies remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
-
Some have also reported hazardous biking conditions due to traffic.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
And staffing struggles continue to strain the agencies tasked with policing perilous road behavior.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 July 2025
-
To a Washington bean counter, his loss might have looked like one tiny but welcome subtraction in a giant spreadsheet, but not in a region so prone to these perilous events that it’s known as Flash Flood Alley.—
Zeynep Tufekci,
Mercury News,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
This represents a highly unorthodox and potentially risky approach to trade.—
Danielle Kurtzleben,
NPR,
7 July 2025
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Much of this inventory is now sitting idle on the market, as buyers steer away from a likely risky investment.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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