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

Elsewhere, Oscorp defector Otto Octavius’ (Hugh Dancy) volatile Gamma-fusion designs are finding their way into the hands of some of the city’s most menacing criminals. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025

And yet, in front of Bulldog legend Marshawn Lynch and a capacity crowd at the program’s gymnasium in North Oakland, both dominated the skies as menacing shot-blockers in a 52-44 victory over Oakland on Friday night. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025

The actor, who plays the menacing Mr Milchick in Apple TV+'s psychological drama, spoke to Newsweek about what awaits viewers across the next six episodes. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

The suspect faced assault and menacing charges Wednesday. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 16 Jan. 2025

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