minatory

[ min-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. menacing; threatening.

minatory

/ ˈmɪnətərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

1. threatening or menacing

Derived Forms

• ˈminatorily, adverb

Other Words From

• mina·tori·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of minatory¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Late Latin minātōrius “threatening,” from mināt(us), past participle of minārī “to threaten” ( menace ) + -ōrius -ory ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of minatory¹

C16: from Late Latin minātōrius, from Latin minārī to threaten

Example Sentences

But he's also a model of self-deceit that colors Rhys', the real Rhys, and the ultimate purpose served by the one we know with minatory tragedy.

From Salon

Vivian Fung’s “Birdsong” set the tone, moving from glassy impressionism to a diabolically twittering reel and slashing accents, a hike through a minatory forest.

From Washington Post

Since her father’s imprisonment, Minou handles the business, and she is in the shop when a mysterious envelope appears, addressed to her and bearing a terse, minatory message: “She knows that you live.”

From Washington Post

I have not looked at these in years, but I cannot forget their haunting strangeness, the unique quality of his writing to this day, a weird mix of classic English and minatory Japanese prose.

From The Guardian

Brexiters in the UK, imitating Tory tactics in London’s mayoral election, conjured up minatory visions of foreigners.

From The Guardian