menacing

[ men-i-sing ]
See synonyms for: menacingmenacingly on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. expressing or serving as a menace or threat: his menacing glare;menacing language.

Origin of menacing

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; menace + -ing2

synonym study For menacing

See ominous.

Other words from menacing

  • men·ac·ing·ly, adverb
  • non·men·ac·ing, adjective
  • un·men·ac·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use menacing in a sentence

  • The man started to walk menacingly toward my partner, who then reached into his holster for his Smith & Wesson .38.

    What a Cop Is Supposed to Do | John Connolly | July 26, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • "Milor, the matter admits of no settlement," said the Breton menacingly, rising from his chair.

  • He saw her against the background of the hills, whose following mass towered menacingly above her little outline.

    The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
  • As the animal crouched at Bascomb's feet, his baleful eyes turned in the boy's direction, and he growled menacingly.

    Motor Matt's "Century" Run | Stanley R. Matthews
  • Far off, above the folds of the nearer hills, the Mountain thrust itself up menacingly against a yellow sunset.

    Summer | Edith Wharton
  • Ketira gave a sharp cry at that, perhaps she fancied he was stealing a kiss, and lifted her right hand menacingly.