menacing

adjective

men·​ac·​ing ˈme-nə-siŋ 

: presenting, suggesting, or constituting a menace or threat : threatening

a menacing look

menacing words

[Harold E. Edgerton] … was also one of the first to take photographs of the menacing mushroom cloud emanating from a nuclear blast.

—Benjamin Genocchio

Ransomware is a menacing scam that involves locking businesses out of their computers and demanding payment of a ransom in exchange for the return of company systems and data.

—Roger Williams

The image is chilling: a series of menacing bear traps laid out like footsteps.

—Emily DeNitto

menacingly adverb

A man stepped menacingly from the corner brandishing a long pole …

—Elizabeth George Speare

"If you shout his name I will curse you into oblivion," muttered Tonks menacingly …

—J. K. Rowling

Examples of menacing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At least there’s a hot new young Professor Snape, played by Paapa Essiedu, looking absolutely as menacing as an adaptation of the first book requires. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026

Feds investigate pizza doxxings of judges An influx of menacing pizza deliveries to unsuspecting judges has prompted a federal investigation, The Gavel has learned. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 25 Mar. 2026

Safi said he was not deterred, despite a disturbing incident in which Garner showed Safi his gun collection in a way that Safi interpreted as menacing. —Jc Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Mar. 2026

The jury acquitted Contreras-Gafaro of nine additional charges, including theft in a range of $20,000 to $100,000, felony menacing, third-degree assault, child abuse, false imprisonment and criminal mischief, according to court records. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English manacyng, from present participle of manacen "to menace entry 2"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above