Search
Select the dictionary language
Menace
01
something that feels like it could cause harm or trouble, making people worried or uneasy
Examples
The dark alleyway had an eerie menace about it, deterring pedestrians from venturing further.
02
someone or something that causes or is likely to cause danger or damage
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
menaces
Examples
The increasing pollution in the river is a serious menace to the local wildlife.
03
a person or thing that causes trouble or annoyance
Informal
Examples
The dog next door is a menace.
to menace
01
to display or indicate an intention to cause harm, often through threatening behavior or actions
Transitive: to menace sb
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
menace
3rd person singular
menaces
Present participle
menacing
Past simple
menaced
Past participle
menaced
Examples
The criminal menaced the store clerk with a knife, demanding all the money.
02
to be a possible danger to someone or something
Transitive: to menace sth
Examples
The dark clouds on the horizon began to menace the outdoor event.
03
to behave in a way that suggests harm or danger
Intransitive
Examples
The dark clouds menaced overhead, warning of an approaching thunderstorm.
