English · Word Candidate

menace

/ˈmɛnɪs/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: menaces · menacing · menaced

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A perceived threat or danger.

Noun

Examples

the dark menace of the distant war.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The act of threatening.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To make threats against (someone); to intimidate.

Verb

Examples

to menace a country with war

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To threaten (an evil to be inflicted).

Verb

Examples

Upon his browes was pourtraid vgly death, And in his eies the furies of his heart, That ſhine as Comets, menacing reueng, And caſts a pale complexion on his cheeks.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “menace” mean?

A perceived threat or danger.

Is “menace” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.