Meaning
Menace means something or someone that is dangerous or likely to cause harm. It can also refer to the act of threatening or being a threat. As a verb, to menace means “to threaten” or “to pose a danger to.”
- Noun: a person or thing that is likely to cause harm or danger.
- Verb: to threaten harm or cause fear.
Grammar and Usage
- Part of speech: Noun / Verb
- Common noun pattern: a menace to someone/something e.g., “Air pollution is a menace to health.”
- Verb pattern: menace someone/something e.g., “The storm menaced the coastline.”
- Can be used both literally (actual danger) and figuratively (emotional or social threat).
Common Phrases
- a menace to society – someone who causes trouble or danger to others.
- pose a menace – to present a threat or danger.
- under menace of – being threatened or forced by danger.
- menace with – to threaten someone using something (e.g., “He menaced her with a knife.”)
Collocations
- serious menace
- potential menace
- menace to public safety
- pose a menace
- menacing look / tone / glare
Examples
- Air pollution is a serious menace to human health.
- The barking dog was a real menace to the neighborhood.
- The gang’s activities menace the peace of the city.
- A dark figure menaced them from the shadows.
- Some teenagers see boredom as a menace to their happiness.
- The dictator menaced his enemies with imprisonment.
- Drunk driving is a menace on the roads.
- The menacing clouds signaled that a storm was approaching.
- The criminal was described as a menace to society.
- His eyes menaced her with silent anger.
Synonyms or Related
- threat
- danger
- hazard
- intimidation
- peril
- bully (informal, for a person)
Antonym
- safety
- protection
- security
- guardian