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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of menacing
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
The bow-sided square manages to harness its own racing legacy, Steve McQueen et al, while still appearing contemporary in its slightly menacing dark suit.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
The sentence’s restrained temperament with its eerie bureaucratic authority, quiet yet menacing.
—Michael Jerome Plunkett
september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Adjective
However, the actress is too afraid of the series' menacing extraterrestrials to watch the show alone.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
The bow-sided square manages to harness its own racing legacy, Steve McQueen et al, while still appearing contemporary in its slightly menacing dark suit.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
The sentence’s restrained temperament with its eerie bureaucratic authority, quiet yet menacing.
—Michael Jerome Plunkett
september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menacing
Adjective
-
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Headlines about Social Security are equally ominous.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Demonizing or attempting to eliminate those who think differently – literally or symbolically – has become a dangerous norm, which is all too evident in the wake of the Kirk shooting.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
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During volatile periods, this becomes especially dangerous because customer loyalty becomes more fragile and harder to rebuild.—
Talbott Roche,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Stephanie Householder was charged with 22 felonies, including abuse or neglect of a child and endangering the welfare of a child.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Though Smith was charged with four counts of assault for scaring and endangering the villagers, troopers did not say he was involved in his mother’s death.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Critics and rights groups argued that both the ban and the bill function as tools for censorship, threatening freedom of expression, press freedom and fundamental rights.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
-
At trial Dever accused Jackson of threatening to indict her for perjury.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Whatever, Dever quickly recanted her earlier precise testimony to the FBI about the sinister doings by those two dodgy cops behind Karen Read’s SUV.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Haunted Carwash was the sinister concoction of spooky enthusiasts Long Vo and Veronica Young of Huntington Beach.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Try dropping these items at a local hazardous waste disposal site.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties, and other hazardous areas.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From the first responders risking their lives to the thousands who walked home through the dust and smoke, New Yorkers were bonded by tragedy, and the world was with us.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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Target also could be risking inconsistent experiences between stores with large fulfillment centers and smaller stores without those centers.—
Dan Gingiss,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These currents vary in speed and can swiftly become perilous for anyone venturing into the surf.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, as Hjalmar’s 14-year-old daughter, Hedvig, the elfin Maaike Laanstra-Corn is delivering yet another wonderfully eccentric embodiment of a high-strung tween with a potentially perilous excess of imagination.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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