as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm
a loaded gun is a menace that this household doesn't need
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to endanger
to place in danger
menaced the children by leaving them in the car unattended
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to threaten
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
stockpiles of nuclear weapons that continue to menace the inhabitants of this planet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of menace
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2025
On the modern battlefield, cheap drones and improvised explosive devices menace ground forces, uncrewed vessels and antiship missiles threaten surface ships, and sophisticated air defenses imperil aircraft.
—Zack Cooper, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2025
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
And everywhere, from Moscow and Beijing to Tehran and Caracas, powerful authoritarians menace the peace and liberty of the world.
—Matthew Karp, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for menace
Noun
The play’s sense of menace and urgency remains more speech than act.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2025
On the modern battlefield, cheap drones and improvised explosive devices menace ground forces, uncrewed vessels and antiship missiles threaten surface ships, and sophisticated air defenses imperil aircraft.
—Zack Cooper, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
At least five people have died, roughly 1,000 structures have been destroyed and tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate as multiple fires menace the L.A. area and encroach on its suburbs.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
And everywhere, from Moscow and Beijing to Tehran and Caracas, powerful authoritarians menace the peace and liberty of the world.
—Matthew Karp, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
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As the threat of bird flu mounts—the virus is tearing through farms and mutating in ways that increasingly threaten human health—the country’s response has been woefully inadequate.—
Dhruv Khullar,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
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Will Trump threats spark another uprising? Control issues?—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Under Florida’s red flag law, enacted after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Broward, law enforcement can seize a person’s weapon with a risk protection order if it’s deemed a person will endanger himself or others.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2025
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National Association of Letter Carriers President Brian L. Renfroe cautioned that the USPS requires practical, sensible solutions rather than privatization efforts that could endanger the jobs of 640,000 postal workers.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Daughtry has been found by the Civilian Complaint Review Board to have repeatedly engaged in misconduct, including for pointing a gun and threatening to kill a motorcyclist.—
Eric Umansky,
ProPublica,
11 Mar. 2025
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If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Among the many dangers in free agency is getting stuck paying players for past production that never gets replicated.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2025
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North Texas will deal with storms and fire danger this week.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While some leaders lean in, experiment, and unlock AI’s potential, others risk falling behind, paralyzed by uncertainty.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Today, indie filmmakers face a tough choice: either comply with demands of CBFC, thus risking their creativity for a theatrical release, or abandon the idea entirely in favor of OTT platforms.—
Viren Naidu,
IndieWire,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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