menacing
Americanadjective
Synonym Usage
See ominous.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of menacing
First recorded in 1350–1400; menace ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. )
Explanation
Something that is menacing is threatening or suggestive of coming danger. If you’re backing away slowly from something, you can probably use the adjective menacing to describe it! Menacing means “threatening” — whether it’s on purpose or not. A menacing tone is intended to scare you, but that menacing raincloud isn’t actually trying to ruin your day. Menacing can describe the behavior of a menace, but only the mean or dangerous kind — not just a pest: "The raccoon that always knocks over your garbage can is a menace, but it's not menacing (unless it also chases you around your house)."
Vocabulary lists containing menacing
The Diary of Anne Frank
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"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
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A Christmas Carol
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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.
Hearts, who had been chasing a first title since 1960, made the decision to make a hasty exit from the stadium, citing a "menacing and threatening atmosphere".
From BBC • May 17, 2026
In a statement Hearts has condemned the "menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium".
From BBC • May 17, 2026
They are experiencing terrors of modern warfare at sea that have become commonplace on land in Ukraine or the Middle East—such as the sight and menacing sound of Iranian drones.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026
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 • Mar. 31, 2026
Instead of the menacing green of army uniforms, the shine of boot and gun, he saw a brown caftan and flat slippers and a familiar face that took him a moment to recognize: Miss Adebayo.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
