menace

American  

[men-is] / ˈmɛn ɪs /

noun

1. something that threatens to cause evil, harm, injury, etc.; a threat.

   Air pollution is a menace to health.

2. a person whose actions, attitudes, or ideas are considered dangerous or harmful.

   When he gets behind the wheel of a car, he's a real menace.

3. an extremely annoying person.

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verb (used with object)

menaced, menacing

1. to utter or direct a threat against; threaten.

2. to serve as a probable threat to; imperil.

   overdevelopment that menaces our suburbs.

verb (used without object)

menaced, menacing

1. to express or serve as a threat.

menace British  

/ ˈmɛnɪs /

verb

1. to threaten with violence, danger, etc

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noun

1. literary a threat or the act of threatening

2. something menacing; a source of danger

3. informal a nuisance

Other Word Forms

• menacer
  noun
• menacing
  adjective
• menacingly
  adverb
• premenace
  noun
• unmenaced
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of menace

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English manace, manance, from Middle French manace, menace, from Late Latin minācia “threat,” equivalent to mināc- (stem of mināx ) “jutting out, threatening” + -ia; verb from noun; see -ia

Explanation

If it's threatening you or otherwise posing some sort of danger, then it's a menace. Angry rabid dogs, smog clouds, and annoying little brothers are all probable menaces. The word menace works as both a noun and a verb, but it wasn't used to describe threatening or bothersome people until 1936. Before then, common menaces probably included things like the plague, locusts, and roving bands of pirate ships. Today, a bad reputation can menace an otherwise promising career, weeds can menace your garden, and burglars are a menace to society.

Example Sentences

Mr. Domingo is a superb actor, but John Logan’s script essentially reduces him to a snarling menace here, albeit one whose perfectionism built a foundation for global success.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

This is also not to say that other terrorist organizations, namely the Islamic State, do not menace the U.S. or our allies.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

Standing only 5 feet 8, Johnson has established herself as a defensive menace, guarding both forwards and guards.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Despite the high stakes, I was an absolute menace.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

The next day I watched, along with many others, as his father's helicopter circled the air above Fullbrook again, hovering with its deafening noise and menace, and descended slowly to the football field.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely

Related Words

• endanger
• imperil
• intimidate
• jeopardize
• terrorize
• threaten