menacing

Everyday

1. Seeming likely to cause harm; threatening: «a menacing look». tree →
2. (verb) Threatening or putting someone or something in danger. tree →

In the lessons

In stories this word builds fear: menacing clouds, a menacing growl, menacing faces in the Wild Wood. In everyday safety talk, a menacing dog or stranger means: get away and tell an adult.

Examples

• The dog gave a menacing growl. tree →
• Menacing clouds gathered over the hills. tree →
• The Mole saw menacing faces in the Wild Wood. tree →
• The bully gave him a menacing look. tree →
• The weasels came forward with menacing sticks. tree →
• A menacing silence fell over the room. tree →
• The cleric wrapped himself into himself, and became lean and menacing. tree →

Note

From «menace» (a threat or danger, or an annoying person: «Dennis the Menace»). Similar: threatening, sinister, frightening.