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
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Recent Examples of menacing
Dan Heching, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
The new photo contrasts the January depiction of the president, which showed the president seemingly lit from below – drawing comparisons to a camper with a flashlight under their chin telling ghost stories – and casting what could be perceived as a menacing stare at the lens.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 3 June 2025
Clark said that Diddy’s menacing behaviors started right away.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 27 May 2025
The 11-second video swivels the viewer through a house, past a tiny man in a suit, and into a bathroom, where a man's menacing head launches out from the drain of the toilet and vamps for the implied camera.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Adjective
From there, viewers are treated to fleeting glimpses of Elphaba working her magic, Glinda adorning herself with a glittering crown and a peek at some menacing flying monkeys.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
The new photo contrasts the January depiction of the president, which showed the president seemingly lit from below – drawing comparisons to a camper with a flashlight under their chin telling ghost stories – and casting what could be perceived as a menacing stare at the lens.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 3 June 2025
Clark said that Diddy’s menacing behaviors started right away.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 27 May 2025
The 11-second video swivels the viewer through a house, past a tiny man in a suit, and into a bathroom, where a man's menacing head launches out from the drain of the toilet and vamps for the implied camera.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menacing
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
-
Punched in the face That could explain the chain saw-wielding, the jumping up and down onstage, the manic baby-making and crusading for more spreading of sperm by smart people and the ominous Nazi-style salutes.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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At times, the Algerian even operated as a wide forward as O’Neil grappled with a forward injury crisis and identified Ait-Nouri as his most dangerous attacking threat.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
An emergency room doctor explains why opioids are so dangerous. 2️⃣ ‘Absolute sh*tshow’: NASA scientists are in limbo after the Trump administration proposed eliminating the Goddard Institute for Space Studies.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Officers are rarely — if ever — punished for hitting or endangering bystanders.—
Shelby Grad,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Still others chase a motorbike onto the sidewalk, endangering nearby pedestrians.—
Eric Umansky,
ProPublica,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Richard curses again, threatening Blum.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
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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
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Mitchell returned to the family’s Salt Lake City home months later with sinister intentions.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
8 June 2025
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Picking from hundreds of hours of original, low-budget TV ads, Glassman tells the sinister tale of two restaurants battling it out in the town of Westridge County.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
What To Know There are currently no major wildfires reported in the areas, but officials warned that hazardous conditions could rapidly change this status.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
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The attempts to reach the group were not successful because of the hazardous conditions, so a boat was deployed to rescue the group, troopers said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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Actually using tariffs to finance a big chunk of the federal government would be a painful and perilous undertaking, budget wonks say.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 June 2025
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Yet the prevailing winds are those of geopolitical rivalry and division, turning our greatest global commons into an increasingly contested and perilous domain.—
Sturla Henriksen,
Time,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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In a way, staying close to the game is the safest route, even if the story itself is more risky.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2025
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Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and military officials must know that attacking U.S. targets would be very risky and would lead to a significant response that would likely be even more damaging than Israel’s latest attacks – including putting a potential deal over its nuclear program at risk.—
Javed Ali,
The Conversation,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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