menacing
adjective
men·ac·ing
ˈme-nə-siŋ 
: 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
Benjamin GenocchioRansomware 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
Roger WilliamsThe image is chilling: a series of menacing bear traps laid out like footsteps.—Emily DeNitto
Emily DeNitto
menacingly
adverb
A man stepped menacingly from the corner brandishing a long pole …
—Elizabeth George Speare
Elizabeth George Speare
"If you shout his name I will curse you into oblivion," muttered Tonks menacingly …
—J. K. Rowling
J. K. Rowling
Examples of menacing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
That decision ultimately cost him the match, and when the bout was over, Orton’s menacing stare at Rhodes not-so-subtly hinted at a potential heel turn.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Earlier this year, Webb's data also was crucial in allowing scientists to determine that a menacing asteroid known as 2024 YR4 posed no threat to Earth during an upcoming flyby.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 July 2025
As they’re hunted by a ruthless drug gang led by the menacing Power (Gillen), their fight for survival becomes a journey of redemption.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for menacing
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Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
That decision ultimately cost him the match, and when the bout was over, Orton’s menacing stare at Rhodes not-so-subtly hinted at a potential heel turn.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Earlier this year, Webb's data also was crucial in allowing scientists to determine that a menacing asteroid known as 2024 YR4 posed no threat to Earth during an upcoming flyby.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 July 2025
As they’re hunted by a ruthless drug gang led by the menacing Power (Gillen), their fight for survival becomes a journey of redemption.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for menacing
Cite this Entry
“Menacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menacing. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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