menace 1 of 2

Definition of menacenext
as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm a loaded gun is a menace that this household doesn't need

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

menace

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to threaten
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 menace
Noun
Usually at Sundance, the weather is a menace. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026 With 30 points of articulation for dynamic posing, the mechanical-jawed menace is packaged in premium, display-ready packaging designed for in-box or out-of-box showcasing. Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
But those states also have Republican governors, who would have raised holy hell if their constituents had been menaced by these roving mobs of mendicants. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025 The costume was designed by Adrian Adolph Greenburg, who went by Gilbert Adrian professionally, and became the one used in the film after an original was deemed not menacing enough. Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
  • Trump later dropped that threat.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Trump has been outspoken about his plans to acquire Greenland, citing national security threats from Russia and China.
    Sarah Davis, The Hill, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • While the issue was not resolved during Tuesday’s hearing, the judge at one point ordered a still photographer to be repositioned after concerns from Robinson’s lawyers about how he would be photographed, which could endanger his right to a fair trial.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Gateway officials said last week the work would halt indefinitely on Friday if the feds don’t let the congressional dollars flow — a stoppage that will endanger the project and axe about 1,000 jobs.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its nuclear program and over Tehran's crackdown on nationwide protests.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The fitness of the second and third generations is threatened by the very privilege they are born into.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The firm ran ads warning of the dangers of marijuana during the weeks leading up to the vote on the Amendment 3, which won approval from 56% of Florida voters but failed to reach the 60% threshold needed to become law.
    Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The scenes playing out in Minneapolis in recent weeks offer an object lesson in the dangers of federal overreach.
    Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Health risks The spike in marijuana use has led to some serious health harms, the Times wrote.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • In Josh Safdie’s feverish ping-pong epic, Marty (Timothée Chalamet) breaks from his benefactor, pen tycoon Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary), risking everything to erase an old defeat.
    Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on menace

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!