menacing
Americanadjective
Related Words
See ominous.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of menacing
First recorded in 1350–1400; menace ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. )
Explanation
Something that is menacing is threatening or suggestive of coming danger. If you’re backing away slowly from something, you can probably use the adjective menacing to describe it! Menacing means “threatening” — whether it’s on purpose or not. A menacing tone is intended to scare you, but that menacing raincloud isn’t actually trying to ruin your day. Menacing can describe the behavior of a menace, but only the mean or dangerous kind — not just a pest: "The raccoon that always knocks over your garbage can is a menace, but it's not menacing (unless it also chases you around your house)."
Vocabulary lists containing menacing
The Diary of Anne Frank
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
A Christmas Carol
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Looking like a life jacket thrown into a car compactor, the work weaves a floppy beam of hazard-orange steel around and through a menacing conglomeration of rusty metal scraps.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
In a statement Hearts has condemned the "menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium".
From BBC • May 17, 2026
Hearts, who had been chasing a first title since 1960, made the decision to make a hasty exit from the stadium, citing a "menacing and threatening atmosphere".
From BBC • May 17, 2026
In a crisis, such as a hurricane in the Caribbean or a menacing in the Persian Gulf, the archaic law becomes an acute problem, because it limits the flexibility of American supply chains to respond.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026
I can feel the vibration amplified in the belly of the ship, like the menacing tone of a cello.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
