minacious

[ mi-ney-shuhs ]

adjective

1. menacing; threatening.

minacious

/ mɪˈneɪʃəs; mɪˈnæsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. threatening

Derived Forms

• miˈnaciously, adverb
• minacity, noun

Other Words From

• mi·nacious·ly adverb
• mi·nacious·ness mi·nac·i·ty [mi-, nas, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of minacious¹

1650–60; < Latin mināci- (stem of mināx ) overhanging, threatening + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of minacious¹

C17: from Latin minax, from minārī to threaten

Example Sentences

The case is in good hands, and Ezra can almost certainly be trusted to shoot down Abbott’s minacious warmongering and force the removal of his deadly buoys.

From Slate

The truly minacious has merely become the mundane and that has caused some to throw in the towel, convinced that Trump will not only be the Republican candidate for president in 2024, but because of his continued cries about voter fraud, the GOP will manipulate state and local election laws to ensure his re-election.

From Salon

Suddenly, he stared coldly at Katie, every inch the minacious K.G.B. agent.

From New York Times

In sound and subject, “Neither” is a spectacularly dense, mysterious and minacious work.

From New York Times

We read about “kairotic shifts” and “swanky solanums”; there is a “minacious theme” and “unfeasible grass.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• aggressive
• alarming
• cautionary
• dangerous
• dire
• sinister
• ugly