Definition of 'menace'

Word Frequency

menace

(menɪs )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense menaces , present participle menacing , past tense, past participle menaced

1. countable noun [usually singular]

If you say that someone or something is a menace to other people or things, you mean that person or thing is likely to cause serious harm.

In my view you are a menace to the public. [+ to]

...the menace of fascism. [+ of]

Excessive drinking is a social menace.

Synonyms: danger, risk, threat, hazard More Synonyms of menace

2. countable noun [usually singular]

You can refer to someone or something as a menace when you want to say that they cause you trouble or annoyance.

[informal]

You're a menace to my privacy, Kenworthy. [+ to]

As I have said earlier in this book, bad shoes are a menace.

3. uncountable noun

Menace is a quality or atmosphere that gives you the feeling that you are in danger or that someone wants to harm you.

There is a pervading sense of menace.

...a voice full of menace.

Synonyms: threat, warning, intimidation, ill-omen More Synonyms of menace

4. verb

If you say that one thing menaces another, you mean that the first thing is likely to cause the second thing serious harm.

The European states retained a latent capability to menace Britain's own security. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: threaten, jeopardize, put at risk, loom over More Synonyms of menace

5. verb

If you are menaced by someone, they threaten to harm you.

She's being menaced by her sister's latest boyfriend. [be VERB-ed]

[Also VERB noun]

Synonyms: bully, threaten, intimidate, terrorize More Synonyms of menace

with menaces

More Synonyms of menace

Video: pronunciation of 'menace'

Word Frequency

menace in British

(ˈmɛnɪs )

verb

to threaten with violence, danger, etc

noun

2. literary

a threat or the act of threatening

something menacing; a source of danger

4. informal

a nuisance

Derived forms

menacer (ˈmenacer)

noun

menacing (ˈmenacing)

adjective

menacingly (ˈmenacingly)

adverb

Word origin of 'menace'

C13: ultimately related to Latin minax threatening, from mināri to threaten

Word Frequency

menace in American

(ˈmɛnəs ; menˈəs)

noun

a threat or the act of threatening

anything threatening harm or evil

3. Informal

a person who is a nuisance

verb transitive, verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈmenaced or ˈmenacing

to threaten or be a danger (to)

SIMILAR WORDS: ˈthreaten

Derived forms

menacingly (ˈmenacingly)

adverb

Word origin of 'menace'

OFr < L minacia < minax (gen. minacis), projecting, threatening < minari, to threaten < minae, threats, orig. projecting points of walls < IE base *men-, to project > Cornish meneth, mountain

Example sentences containing 'menace'

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By the time he looked back, Costa had turned the moment into something truly menacing. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The bunkers are so well placed and pose real menace. Times, Sunday Times (2014)The rottweiler has earned a fearsome reputation as extremely loyal and as a menacing guard dog. Times, Sunday Times (2007)These unusual clouds also signal something quite menacing. Times, Sunday Times (2010)It will become a menace to society. Times, Sunday Times (2013) Real menace at times with powerful bursts. The Sun (2009)The actor who made his name exuding menace and danger finds far more than that in the role. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Was a constant menace in midfield. The Sun (2010)The setting for detective stories was crucial to the atmosphere of menace and suspense, she said. Times, Sunday Times (2014)The menace of uninsured drivers also warrants a new law, according to you. Times, Sunday Times (2006)On stage, her menacing voice competes with pounding drums and distorted guitars. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Is this a tent, a house or a public menace? Times, Sunday Times (2011)But his movement was a constant menace to Leeds. The Sun (2015)If he is to become a serious menace, he may have to refine his yorker. Times, Sunday Times (2007)They also want to enjoy their prosperity without fear of robbery, violence and the menace of drugs. Times, Sunday Times (2016)One paying guest said: 'The atmosphere is menacing. The Sun (2016)It was doing, instead, something far more menacing. Times, Sunday Times (2012)You could smell him in the stalls - and the stench was of malice, menace and danger. Times, Sunday Times (2010) Crime is a menace. Times, Sunday Times (2012)I've seldom heard one with less menace, less of the demonic in it. Times, Sunday Times (2009)