menacing
Suggesting imminent harm
Menacing describes something that conveys threat or danger.
A menacing figure looms with implied violence.
A menacing tone suggests harm may follow.
The word emphasizes the suggestion of threat rather than its execution—something menacing hasn't struck yet but seems about to: He took a menacing step forward.
Storm clouds gathered with menacing speed.
Appearing threateningly close
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- balefulThreatening harm or misfortune
- direExtremely serious or urgent
- alarmingProvoking fear or anxiety
daunting · frightening · terrifying · intimidating · warning · ominous · foreboding · portentous
Harboring ill will
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
- belligerentHostile and eager to clash
aggressive · combative · sinister · malign · malignant · spiteful · vindictive · nasty
Intense anticipatory fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
apprehension · fright · horror · unease · chill · creepiness · spine-tingling · hair-raising
Fraught with danger
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
- deadlyAble to cause expiration
- lethalCausing or capable of death
dangerous · destructive · unsafe · risky · volatile · unstable · precarious · jeopardizing
Aggressive repeated intimidation
- coerciveUsing pressure to compel
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- browbeatingIntimidating with stern pressure
pressuring · forceful · commanding · imposing · formidable · powerful · towering · overwhelming
looming
Appearing threateningly close
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- balefulThreatening harm or misfortune
- direExtremely serious or urgent
alarming · daunting · frightening · terrifying · intimidating · warning · ominous · foreboding · portentous · impending
malevolent
Harboring ill will
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
belligerent · aggressive · combative · sinister · malign · malignant · spiteful · vindictive · nasty · inimical
dread
Intense anticipatory fear
trepidation · apprehension · fright · horror · unease · chill · creepiness · spine-tingling · hair-raising · blood-curdling
perilous
Fraught with danger
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
- deadlyAble to cause expiration
lethal · dangerous · destructive · unsafe · risky · volatile · unstable · precarious · jeopardizing · imperiling
bullying
Aggressive repeated intimidation
- coerciveUsing pressure to compel
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
browbeating · pressuring · forceful · commanding · imposing · formidable · powerful · towering · overwhelming · oppressive
glare
Fierce stare or brightness
grimace · scowl · glower · leer · stare · gesture · posture · stance · bearing · presence
- intimidationthreats, intimidate, bullying, threaten, intimidating
- crimesarson, burglary, robbery, kidnapping, vandalism
- dramatic tonesintense, tense, suspenseful, ominous, foreboding
- menacingintimidating, ominous, sinister, foreboding, fearsome
- misconductmisconduct, bullying, stealing, vandalism, cheating
- negative tonesangry, bitter, cynical, hostile, resentful
menacingharmless
Causing no injury
unthreatening · safe · benign · innocuous · nonthreatening
menacingreassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
comforting · encouraging · heartening · hopeful · promising
- menacing lookHostile gaze meant to intimidate