menacing

American  

[men-i-sing] / ˈmɛn ɪ sɪŋ /

adjective

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

   his menacing glare;

   menacing language.

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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

He evinces the warmhearted humanity that Sonny tries feebly to hide when he believes he has to show menacing swagger.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

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

From Los Angeles Times

“Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world,” he said in a recorded statement Saturday.

From Los Angeles Times

So, they serve up an array of the outlandish - mid-scroll, viewers stumble upon a lover's fight or a menacing standoff.

From BBC

Related Words

• alarming
• dangerous
• frightening
• threatening