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

In the prosecution's closing speech, Mr Ratliff said the alleged threat to kill was "not some off-the-cuff comment" and the video was "sinister and menacing".

Read more on BBC

He is a delight to watch - even just the sight of him strolling the corridors with his hood up trying to look menacing makes you laugh.

Read more on BBC

"It's insane that the smell of cannabis alone, or somebody wearing a menacing mask alone, does not generally allow, legally, a stop and search," he said.

Read more on BBC

According to Essex University's Prof Lorna Woods, the lowest level of views that can be prosecuted in British criminal law are those deemed "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character".

Read more on BBC

I don’t know whether that’s more menacing or more ridiculous: We will tell the TV stations what to say, and they will decide what you think.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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