1
: a show of intention to inflict harm : threat
exploding in menaces and threats of vengeance—
George Meredith
George Meredith2
a
: one that represents a threat : danger
the intoxicated motorist is a menace to life and limb—Wayne Hughes
Wayne Hughes
b
: an annoying person
her friends were beginning to find her a menace—Guy McCrone
Guy McCrone
menaced; menacing
1
: to make a show of intention to harm
menaced him with immediate expulsion—G. B. Shaw
G. B. Shaw2
: to represent or pose a threat to : endanger
menaced by a group of toughs after his car goes kaput—Leah Rozen
Leah Rozen
: to act in a threatening manner
The bear menaced with its mouth wide open.
Examples of menace in a Sentence
Noun
There was an atmosphere of menace in the city.
She could hear the menace in his voice.
Verb
menaced the children by leaving them in the car unattended
stockpiles of nuclear weapons that continue to menace the inhabitants of this planet
Recent Examples on the Web
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Mar. 2025
For years, American national-security experts have rightly focused on addressing the rising threat from China, but wrongly neglected the threat from Russia, including this ideological menace.
—Michael McFaul, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
Rob Wile, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
Battling invasive species in the Great Lakes A third important aspect of NOAA’s coastal work involves controlling invasive species in America’s waters, including those that have menaced the Great Lakes.
—Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
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Noun
And the most viral new-gen phonk bears no resemblance to Memphis rap besides the apocalyptic menace.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Mar. 2025
For years, American national-security experts have rightly focused on addressing the rising threat from China, but wrongly neglected the threat from Russia, including this ideological menace.
—Michael McFaul, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
Besides supplemental duties totaling 20% on Chinese goods, Trump has suspended other menaced tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
Battling invasive species in the Great Lakes A third important aspect of NOAA’s coastal work involves controlling invasive species in America’s waters, including those that have menaced the Great Lakes.
—Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menace. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
menace
1 of 2 noun
men·ace
ˈme-nəs 
1
: a show of an intention to inflict especially physical harm
accomplished against a person's will by means of force,…menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury—California Penal Code
California Penal Code2
: one who represents a threat
menace
2 of 2 verb
menaced; menacing
: to act in a threatening manner
menacingly
adverb
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