Synonyms

menacing

American

[men-i-sing] / ˈmɛn ɪ sɪŋ /

adjective

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

his menacing glare;
menacing language.

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the months leading up to the U.S. and Israeli campaign, senior Arab officials say Araghchi flitted between openness, at times joining friendly dinners, and menacing by appearing to imply Iran might attack its neighbors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

A hard year followed with floods, ICE, AI, etc., menacing our native optimism.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

Towards the end, the whole body of dancers becomes engaged, menacing as they approach, their tense stomachs flexing as if hungry.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

It was far from the mildly menacing tone of his social media posts claiming that Greenland will be America's.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

I groaned as Frederick and his brother Bruno approached with menacing grins on their faces.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023