ENGLISH
REFERENCE

menacing

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈmɛnəsɪŋ// UK //mˈɛnɪsɪŋ// men·ac·ing

adj. suggesting that something bad or dangerous is going to happen. You use this to describe a person, look, or sound that makes you feel unsafe.

adj. suggesting the presence of danger; threatening or portending evil. Often used to describe physical presence, facial expressions, or atmospheric conditions.


SIMPLE

The dark clouds look menacing in the distance.

CONTEXTUAL

The stranger gave him a menacing look that made him want to leave the room immediately.

COMPLEX

The soundtrack shifted from a light melody to a low, menacing drone, signaling to the audience that the protagonist was no longer alone in the forest.

Synonyms
Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'look' or 'sound'.

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