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
Relevance
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
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
The only other character who shares Michael’s story equally is patriarch Joe, played with simmering menace by an always excellent Colman Domingo.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
There’s real, sweat-inducing tension to scenes where Esther, alone at home with her children, is encircled and menaced by mobs of men preying on the easiest of targets.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for menace
Noun
Screenwriter Jeremy Robbins sets up what appears to be a potential threat in a creepy kangaroo hunter (Matt Whelan) and his drunken mate (Rob Carlton), whose names alone, Diesel and Ripper, carry a hint of menace.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
The only other character who shares Michael’s story equally is patriarch Joe, played with simmering menace by an always excellent Colman Domingo.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Iran and its proxies have menaced America and American lives, undermined our core national interests, systematically destabilized the Middle East, and threatened the security of the entire West.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
There’s real, sweat-inducing tension to scenes where Esther, alone at home with her children, is encircled and menaced by mobs of men preying on the easiest of targets.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
-
Another double play ended the threat.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
About $589 million in revenue generated from the tax has not been used, which in part is due to a lack of flexibility in how the money can be used, as well as due to legal concerns amid a threat to overturn the initiative.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The police department said body camera footage has already helped lead to charges against a driver accused of endangering a crossing guard and children.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Israel had said ban was necessary Initially, Israel said the ban was necessary because foreign journalists allowed into Gaza could give away the positions of Israeli soldiers and endanger them.—
Deepti Hajela,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Alex Bonetig’s goal more than five minutes into extra time made the difference for Portland (4-1-5), which threatened repeatedly late to break a 1-1 stalemate that lasted nearly the entire second half.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
During the trial, the victim testified that Newton pointed a gun at the victim’s head and threatened her with it instead of attempting to pistol-whip her.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The only major difference between now and then is that Edwards is now in danger of being dragged down with his ship.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Armed federal agents broke down the door while executing a warrant for someone else, and rounded up the people inside without properly determining whether Juan was a flight risk or a danger to the community, said Lear, his immigration attorney.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What was supposed to be a solidarity visit to Caribbean nations by Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, has instead ignited a diplomatic row that risks widening divisions within the 15-member Caribbean Community bloc known as CARICOM.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
If entry-level roles are compressed too aggressively, firms risk weakening their own talent pipelines.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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