menacing

adjective

men·​ac·​ing ˈme-nə-siŋ How to pronounce menacing (audio)
: presenting, suggesting, or constituting a menace or threat : threatening
a menacing look
menacing words
[Harold E. Edgerton] … was also one of the first to take photographs of the menacing mushroom cloud emanating from a nuclear blast.Benjamin Genocchio
Ransomware is a menacing scam that involves locking businesses out of their computers and demanding payment of a ransom in exchange for the return of company systems and data.Roger Williams
The image is chilling: a series of menacing bear traps laid out like footsteps.Emily DeNitto
menacingly adverb
A man stepped menacingly from the corner brandishing a long pole … Elizabeth George Speare
"If you shout his name I will curse you into oblivion," muttered Tonks menacingly J. K. Rowling

Examples of menacing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2025 Dozens of Musk fans targeted Costa with menacing direct messages, social media posts and emails. Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025 His exact words can’t be heard in a fan video of the encounter, but his menacing tone is legible. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025 Witt is charged with second-degree murder, aggravated robbery and three counts of menacing, all felonies, in the Feb. 11 shooting at the station near Interstate 225 and South Dallas Street. Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for menacing

Word History

Etymology

Middle English manacyng, from present participle of manacen "to menace entry 2"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of menacing was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menacing. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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