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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of menacing
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Some argue that the only way to stop Iran from menacing the region and its people is to crush this regime.
—Dennis Ross, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Adjective
His girlfriend, Robertson was charged with assault, drug possession and menacing, cops said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Santiago was charged with menacing a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Some argue that the only way to stop Iran from menacing the region and its people is to crush this regime.
—Dennis Ross, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menacing
Adjective
-
As the cave shakes and thunders, the scene gets more ominous.—
Megan duBois,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
-
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Gabriel Basso stars as Sutherland, a formerly low-level FBI agent who has taken on increasingly dangerous assignments as part of a counterintelligence group within the bureau called Night Action.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
-
Bessent has compared the Fed's growing balance sheet to a dangerous lab experiment.—
Steve Liesman,Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
British authorities arrested a man from Sudan on suspicion of endangering life in that case.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
-
The same nurses hailed as essential workers during the pandemic are now dealing with the impact of ICE raids and ICE presence in hospitals, endangering nurses and their patients.—
Sonia Lawrence,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
In the meantime, the energy crisis continues, threatening summer holidays in Asia and Europe as the loss of jet fuel supplies from the Middle East ripples across those regions.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
-
Plus, with carbon pricing now covering 28 percent of global emissions, the industry faces growing exposure to a new layer of fiscal jeopardy, threatening the viability of traditional low-cost production models.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
These forces would collide on the Near West Side on a spring evening, against the backdrop of labor unrest, union activity and a hint of influence from a sinister anarchist movement.—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
In terms of all-time hero's journeys, his is up there, from his humble beginnings on Tatooine to learning of his sinister dad to becoming a Jedi master to sacrificing himself to help the Resistance.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
The building where the fire broke out has 107 housing code violations, including 39 that are considered immediately hazardous, building records show.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
As wildfires get more extreme, agency personnel have less time to reduce vegetation, known as hazardous fuels work, which sets the stage for even bigger blazes.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Far from benign, some experts say the videos can skew how people view and even interact with wildlife — potentially leading to perilous encounters.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
It's become a more perilous occupation to be President of the United States, or a congressional leader, or to be a state legislator in Minnesota, or to be the spouse of a former House speaker.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His incredulity about their increasingly risky adventures—this is the one that involves a Pontiac Fiero in outer space—becomes one of the film’s running gags.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Pakistan has become one of the most consequential players in the Iran war, taking on a risky mediation role that draws on its ties with Tehran while keeping its financial lifeline with the Gulf intact.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
