menacing

[men-i-sing]

adjective

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

   his menacing glare;

   menacing language.

Other Word Forms

• menacingly adverb
• nonmenacing adjective
• unmenacing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of menacing¹

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

Synonym Study

See ominous.

Example Sentences

For some reason she pictured the animal wearing Judge Quinzy’s thick and distorting glasses, which made its glinting amber eyes appear larger and more menacing than they already were.

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But the drivers seemed somehow menacing to her, with their fake friendliness and huckstering offers of a ride.

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Suddenly he didn’t look so off and menacing.

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Although a menacing observer lurks in the darkness, the couple feels protected, submerged beneath the wall of clouds, which roll like white waves against a huge, indigo sky.

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So does—to one’s great surprise—Nile, whom the wondrous Mr. Rhys makes both menacing and charming and, quite critically, a friend to Aggie, never mind how self-serving his friendship might be.

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Related Words

• alarming 
• dangerous 
• frightening www.thesaurus.com
• threatening