MENACE Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

menace 1 of 2

noun

ˈme-nəs

Definition of menace

as in threat

something that may cause injury or harm a loaded gun is a menace that this household doesn't need

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

menace

2 of 2

verb

as in to endanger

to place in danger menaced the children by leaving them in the car unattended

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Noun

Some experts say the engagement with Moscow is helping improve North Korea’s military capabilities, and Zelenskyy warned that the battlefield experience would help Pyongyang menace other countries in its region. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 The Houthis have particularly risen as a menace to Saudi Arabia, targeting oil tankers and imposing a blockade on Saudi shipping in a critical maritime trade route, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait located at the base of the Red Sea. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

Centuries later, Zarkon continues to menace the universe. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 10 June 2026 Fueled by gusting winds and warm temperatures, multiple large wildfires continued to menace Southern California on Wednesday, prompting thousands of residents to evacuate, authorities said. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for menace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for menace

Noun

This is a historically fragmented industry, with different vendors for different kinds of services, such as firewall, threat detection, and identity.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Meteorologists said the majority of model guidance does not indicate a credible hurricane threat to California during the second week of September.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of threat

Verb

Mandating malnutrition reporting could increase the need for dietitians in already understaffed hospitals, or create overwhelming caseloads that could endanger patients and heighten the risk of RD burnout.

— Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
The possibility that the shooter endangered thousands of people at the rally is also an important distinction under Utah law.

— Bill Chappell, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of endanger

Verb

An 18-year-old North Carolina woman threatened to fabricate child molestation accusations if a man didn’t give her cash, according to police in Huntersville.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
Trump has threatened to also double tariffs on automobiles and auto parts from Canada from 25% to 50%.

— Joey Garrison, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of threaten

Verb

This exceeds the city manager’s authority to move temporary shelter projects forward without council approval, risking a vote that could stop the project altogether.

— Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Allen Berezovsky / Getty Images If not, the NBA risks losing an incredible feature in its repertoire.

— Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of risk

Browse Nearby Words

men's rooms

menace

menaced

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Style

“Menace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menace. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of menace

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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