menace
noun/ˈmenəs/
/ˈmenəs/
- [countable, usually singular] menace (to somebody/something) a person or thing that causes, or may cause, serious damage, harm or danger synonym threat
- a new initiative aimed at beating the menace of illegal drugs
- The back-bench rebels remain a potential menace to the stability of the government.
Extra ExamplesTopics Dangerc1- He's a menace to society.
- Local traders are struggling to combat the menace of armed robbery.
- the menace posed by car fumes
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- growing
- increasing
- great
- …
- pose
- combat
- counter
- …
- menace to
- [uncountable] an atmosphere that makes you feel threatened or frightened
- a sense/an air/a hint of menace in his voice
Extra ExamplesTopics Feelingsc2- The scar down his face added to his air of menace.
- Her eyes were glittering with menace.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- hidden
- quiet
- silent
- …
- with menace
- an air of menace
- [countable, usually singular] (informal) a person or thing that is annoying or causes trouble
- They have become a public menace.
- menaces[plural] (British English, law) threats that somebody will cause harm if they do not get what they are asking for
- with menaces to demand money with menaces
Word OriginMiddle English: via Old French from late Latin minacia, from Latin minax, minac- ‘threatening’, from minae ‘threats’.
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menace