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
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Recent Examples of menacing
Katie Langford, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2025
The defense is menacing and disruptive, and Kiki Iriafen is an elite frontcourt scorer, especially during March.
—Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
The cultural tide in America had turned against the permissive atmosphere on America’s campuses, which tolerated the roving bands of menacing, occasionally violent anti-Israel mobs that had transformed their institutions from centers of learning to gauntlets.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 24 Mar. 2025
Their responses are predictable: a young man of color—tattoos, baggy clothes, a menacing expression, maybe holding a weapon.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Adjective
Wednesday’s felony menacing, chase and shooting is being investigated by Aurora’s Crime Gun Intelligence unit, Paolino said.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2025
The defense is menacing and disruptive, and Kiki Iriafen is an elite frontcourt scorer, especially during March.
—Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
The cultural tide in America had turned against the permissive atmosphere on America’s campuses, which tolerated the roving bands of menacing, occasionally violent anti-Israel mobs that had transformed their institutions from centers of learning to gauntlets.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 24 Mar. 2025
Their responses are predictable: a young man of color—tattoos, baggy clothes, a menacing expression, maybe holding a weapon.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menacing
Adjective
-
Living in this area means constantly being on high alert when the weather turns ominous.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
As the medical profession came to consider cocaine and morphine as equally dangerous, coca became associated with opium, and the public was led to believe that the ruinous effects of habitual opium use would inevitably befall those who regularly chewed coca leaves.—
Wade Davis,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2025
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The speeds can vary from moment to moment and can quickly increase to become dangerous to anyone entering the surf.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
The supernatural thriller is set in the Jim Crow South, where twin brothers—each played by Jordan—return home from Chicago with hopes of starting over, only to confront a sinister force that’s been waiting for them.—
Essence,
Essence,
2 Apr. 2025
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The banal village tunes that Mahler altered into sinister mock vulgarities—did these not recall the raffish klezmer bands, the wandering musicians who played at shtetl weddings?—
David Denby,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This may result in slick and hazardous driving conditions.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
More snow is on the way and will create hazardous travel conditions, forecasters said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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With rising gasoline prices also fueling uncertainty, staying close to home and enjoying what Lake County has to offer in fun times is making sense in these perilous times.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
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This project documents the perilous journeys of migrants traversing the Darién Gap, a 100-kilometer long stretch of dense jungle connecting Colombia and Panama.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Approaching the station was deemed too risky for Wilmore and Williams, aboard Starliner, as well as for the astronauts on the $100 billion space station.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Disclosing the full identity of someone fleeing persecution is inherently risky.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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