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

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

Prosecutors, witnesses and judges who were part of Jan. 6 criminal cases were subjected to frequent harassment, menacing and threats, according to testimony and statements made during criminal proceedings in the riot cases. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2025

Van and Tai cut menacing figures in the wilderness storyline as well. —Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025

For Tatiana Pino, the attack capped a five-year stretch of menacing and terrifying assaults that federal authorities say were orchestrated by her husband, including attempts to poison her, according to the FBI documents. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025

Christina Ortiz, an 18-year veteran, was honored in 2022 by police brass for protecting an elderly woman who was being fleeced by a menacing con man and for solving a brother-on-brother stabbing. —Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025

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