MENACING Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

menacing 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of menacing

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

as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury fears that the unemployment rate may be reaching menacing proportions

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

menacing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of menace

as in endangering

to place in danger menaced the children by leaving them in the car unattended

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Adjective

Similarly, the interplay enacted in the exhibition between Jafa’s and Prince’s work forces us as visitors to actively participate in a practice of juxtapositional thinking ourselves, producing a momentum that is at once menacing and enlivening. — Tina M. Campt, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 Harassed all day by Minnesota's menacing pass rush, Baker Mayfield fled the pocket again — this time scrambling and weaving more 20 yards backward before launching a desperation heave that was intercepted. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Verb

The midterm elections are looming and the first hurricane of the Atlantic Season is menacing the Gulf Coast. — Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Dennis Hopper won a Best Villain MTV Movie Award for menacing a bus in this film. — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for menacing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for menacing

Adjective

As evening descends on Paris, there are ominous signs for what lies ahead tonight.

— Elina Baudier Kim, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Once storms roll through, things will change with temperatures falling for the afternoon, light rain and drizzle around, and cloudy ominous skies.

— Ron Smiley, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ominous

Adjective

Swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
Fresh to strong winds will produce dangerous boating conditions, high surf, life-threatening rip currents, and moderate beach erosion through at least the first half of the coming week, forecasters said.

— Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Verb

Zin is a Myanmar scholar who was detained in June and accused of endangering China’s national security.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The homeowner, who police say let her grandchild host the party at her home, was charged with violating the county's social host law and endangering the welfare of a child.

— Katie Houlis, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of endangering

Verb

All those factors are sending bond yields to multi-decade highs, raising the cost of borrowing and threatening to slow economic growth.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Hot flashes and night sweats are common symptoms of menopause that can become life threatening during extreme heat events and when cooling, hydration and hormone therapy are limited or unavailable.

— Jaquelyn Jahn, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of threatening

Adjective

Ultimately, the greatest impacts will be determined by the storm's track, but periods of heavy rain and wind, along coastal flooding, beach erosion, and hazardous surf are a concern, especially for the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Preliminary tests indicate the substance is not hazardous; the letters prompted evacuations and police responses, with no injuries reported in the California incidents described.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

Christopher Nolan’s recent film reminded me of another time when the world was awash in ambiguity and leaders needed to navigate the perilous voyage across unfamiliar territory.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Two Utah residents who hiked Mount Shasta in Northern California were rescued after they became stranded during a perilous 36-hour journey through freezing conditions.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of perilous

Adjective

The fact fraternity alumni donate more makes getting rid of fraternities financially risky for schools.

— Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Representatives Lori Trahan and Jay Obernolte have advanced the FRONTIER Act, which would authorize government intervention against risky models and override some state laws.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of risky

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menaces

menacing

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Style

“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menacing. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of menacing

adjective

verb

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