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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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
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Example Sentences
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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
-
Judge’s homer ended up being the game-winning run, as the Rangers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning and were threatening for more.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Of course, most of this is for show, just as Carr’s podcasts appearances last year threatening Kimmel were a bunch of hot air.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Upending age-old narrative traditions, Paul’s heroism takes a sinister turn when Herbert reveals that the Bene Gesserit, an Illuminati-like secretive order of psychic matriarchs, has long been conditioning the Fremen to expect the arrival of a messiah, or mahdi, in their native tongue.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This advertised butt jokes, campy fight montages and sinister Seth Rogen laughs.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For their study, the researchers focused specifically on PVC microplastics, as these are among the most hazardous and are prevalent in drinking water, Gonçalves dos Reis said.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
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The two groups are combining university research with engineering expertise to introduce advanced robots that can safely navigate and manage tasks in hazardous nuclear environments.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 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 6 May. 2026.
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