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 this menacing climate anything approaching a free vote is unimaginable.

From BBC

The sculpture’s curved, draping form looks both stiff and pliable, cartoonish and menacing.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

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