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
Relevance
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
People in this state search for a story that explains why everything suddenly feels uncanny and ominous.—
Rachel Aviv,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
-
Some commentators labeled his speech unduly bellicose; others applauded his courage to define ominous realities.—
Robert Schmuhl,
Chicago Tribune,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
More dangerous heat waves The Great Lakes region warmed substantially faster in the six years since the last assessment than it did in decades prior, the report shows.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
-
Here's what each means, according to the NWS: Heat advisory: A heat advisory is the lowest level and is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach the criteria for a more serious alert.—
Chad Murphy,
The Enquirer,
24 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
-
Across the 14-track LP, the producer fuses club beats, acidic bars, and Middle Eastern percussion into a slightly sinister shade of electronica.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
18 July 2025
-
Lex outmaneuvers the titular hero for most of Superman, turning the public against him by uncovering the entirety of the sinister message from his Kryptonian parents and orchestrating a political conflict for personal gain.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Fire crews sometimes allow lightning-strike fires to burn, and made the decision to do that on the Dragon Bravo Fire, intended to reduce hazardous fuels and vegetation along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
15 July 2025
-
Map of damage: See how the Texas floods unfolded and why Camp Mystic was in a hazardous location The death toll has risen to 129 on Saturday, including more than three dozen children.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Brown, like Espada, is often put in perilous predicaments while trying to discuss any of these developments.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
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
-
The daredevil had done many things riskier, of course, including a BASE jump off of the Christ The Redeemer Statue in Brazil.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
-
The chairman of the Texas Democratic Party had blunt words for his counterparts in Washington and elsewhere who might be urging Democrats in the Legislature to take politically risky action.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share