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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2
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
fears that the unemployment rate may be reaching menacing proportions
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1
as in endangering
to place in danger
menaced the children by leaving them in the car unattended
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of menacing
Colin Demarest, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Enter the Chameleon, a nefarious master of disguise who's been menacing poor Spidey even longer in the comics than his sibling Kraven.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
The film is visually and sonically explosive, and the scene with Jesse Plemons as a menacing soldier is unforgettable.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024
Egerton and Bateman are both fantastic in this, and who knew Michael Bluth could be this level of menacing?
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for menacing 
Adjective
Civilian planes, helicopters, constellations and Christmas lights can from afar look menacing.
—Colin Demarest, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Enter the Chameleon, a nefarious master of disguise who's been menacing poor Spidey even longer in the comics than his sibling Kraven.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
The film is visually and sonically explosive, and the scene with Jesse Plemons as a menacing soldier is unforgettable.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024
Egerton and Bateman are both fantastic in this, and who knew Michael Bluth could be this level of menacing?
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for menacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menacing
Adjective
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Something ominous, if not entirely novel, is taking shape in Washington.David Remnick, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
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Facebook’s recent announcement to stop fact-checking posts is an ominous signal.Rhea Wessel, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Hurts is incredibly dangerous with his legs, rushing for 630 yards and 14 TDs this season.Rob Reischel, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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As the winter storms progress, more updates are expected from local authorities to guide residents and travelers through potentially dangerous conditions.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Wilson, 46, is charged with murder, manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child for the explosion of violence inside the victim’s apartment on Macombs Road near Inwood Ave.John Annese, New York Daily News, 21 Dec. 2024
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Cloe Workman, 20, is charged in Hamilton County Municipal Court with misdemeanor child endangering and domestic violence.Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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An extreme wind event is threatening one of Los Angeles’ toniest neighborhoods, igniting fires through Pacific Palisades.Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2025
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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
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Feathers tends to wear cutesy disguises, but comes across as a surprisingly sinister creature who is always observing.Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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Now the star and filmmaker are trading Wakanda and the boxing ring for an original vision: a Depression-era vampire movie about twin brothers (Jordan plays both) who return to their Deep South hometown, only to find something sinister waiting.A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Snow can cause travel disruptions and create hazardous driving conditions.Joe Edwards, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
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Watch aftermath of multi-vehicle highway crash Region faces slick roads after winter storm The region was among several areas facing hazardous travel conditions due to a winter storm that battered the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic over the weekend.Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Strong winds, sleet, ice and heavy snow are also expected in some areas, including some Southern states, later in the weekend, which could lead to perilous conditions.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
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This decision not only undermines the reproductive rights of American women but also sets a perilous precedent for the court’s willingness to abdicate its own power.Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Only right turns are possible, and eastward travelers are forced to head west and make a potentially risky U-turn on busy Colbern Road or turn around in another parking lot.Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025
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Then use the same maturity model to test less risky areas with a slower rate of investment where sufficiency is acceptable.Kevin Lynch, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near menacing
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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