menacing

American  

[men-i-sing] / ˈmɛn ɪ sɪŋ /

adjective

1. expressing or serving as a menace or threat: menacing language.

   his menacing glare;

   menacing language.

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Related Words

See ominous.

Other Word Forms

• menacingly adverb
• nonmenacing adjective
• unmenacing adjective

Etymology

Origin of menacing

First recorded in 1350–1400; menace ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the Israelites face threats from the rival army of Philistines and the menacing scavenger tribe of Amalekites.

From The Wall Street Journal

To hint at “Sinners’” sinister supernatural element, the designers did add tiny but menacing figures in the background.

From Los Angeles Times

It was funny, menacing, outrageous and meaningfully serious.

From Los Angeles Times

The old man would become the menacing force behind many of Shepard’s plays.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fittingly, the Clipse opened their set with the menacing “Chains and Whips,” which is jam packed with lethal, high-level bars about why contemporary rappers simply can’t sit with them.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alarming
• dangerous
• frightening
• threatening