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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of menacing
Chris Young Ritzen, CBS News, 10 May 2025
The movie itself is something of a trip; everything feels coated in a faint, menacing sheen of unreality, as if a slasher movie were just a wild twist or two away.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
Death emerged from the world around these characters, seemingly wielded by a menacing unseen force.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025
Assistant District Attorney Timothy Collins said the boy has a record, having previously been charged in Family Court with assault and menacing with a weapon.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Adjective
Police arrested Doyle and charged him with menacing, harassment and trespassing.
—Chris Young Ritzen, CBS News, 10 May 2025
The movie itself is something of a trip; everything feels coated in a faint, menacing sheen of unreality, as if a slasher movie were just a wild twist or two away.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
Death emerged from the world around these characters, seemingly wielded by a menacing unseen force.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025
Assistant District Attorney Timothy Collins said the boy has a record, having previously been charged in Family Court with assault and menacing with a weapon.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menacing
Adjective
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If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
-
Punched in the face That could explain the chain saw-wielding, the jumping up and down onstage, the manic baby-making and crusading for more spreading of sperm by smart people and the ominous Nazi-style salutes.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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At times, the Algerian even operated as a wide forward as O’Neil grappled with a forward injury crisis and identified Ait-Nouri as his most dangerous attacking threat.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Furthermore, is a reliance on new safety and driver assistance features potentially dangerous? Ford recall extends to over one million vehicles due to rearview camera issue Why are over a million Ford models included in NHTSA's recent recall notices?—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Officers are rarely — if ever — punished for hitting or endangering bystanders.—
Shelby Grad,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
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Amanda Davila, 28, was sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted in January of endangering the welfare of a child in relation to the death of 6-year-old Fajr Atiya Williams.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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By late afternoon, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said the Pacific Palisades fire had grown to 1,200 acres — threatening over 10,000 households and 13,000 structures.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
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Extremely dangerous wildfires are threatening Southern California, including Los Angeles and Ventura counties.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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By the end of the season, President George W. Bush arrives at the family’s doorstep, masquerading as Rumi’s friend while barely concealing his sinister intentions.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
2 June 2025
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Idyllic getaways unravel into haunting mysteries, exposing the sinister secrets lurking beneath sunlit shores, mountain retreats and bustling boardwalks; Jessica Biel narrates.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Other parts of the southeastern US could see hazardous weather Friday afternoon and evening.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
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However, a small portion of them, known as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs), do require close monitoring.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The first season traces Ellie and Joel’s perilous journey, punctuated by attacks by the infected, the depredations of groups of raiders, and betrayals galore by would-be allies.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2025
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One brother, guided by moral duty, convinces the other to help the mother and join a perilous investigation to find the child.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Not mentioned in the CIT decision—and likely riskier—is section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930.—
Jill Goldenziel,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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With the use of additional biomarkers and prostate MRI, the diagnosis of men with prostate cancer is more precise and avoids the detection of low-risk indolent prostate cancer and rather focuses on the early detection and effective treatment of more clinically risky prostate cancer.—
Franklin D Gaylis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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