Pronunciation: [mˈɛnɪs] (IPA) 
The word "menace" (/ˈmɛnəs/) is spelled with a "c" at the end, which can be confusing for non-native speakers. This is because the "c" is silent and does not affect the pronunciation of the word. The emphasis is on the first syllable, with a short "e" sound followed by a soft "n" sound. The second syllable has a long "a" sound followed by a soft "s" sound. This word means a person or thing that is likely to cause harm or danger.
Menace is a noun that refers to an individual or thing that poses a threat or danger, usually in a harmful, hostile, or aggressive manner. It can also describe actions that intimidate or instill fear in others. Menaces often elicit feelings of unease, apprehension, or insecurity.
When used as a verb, menace describes the act of expressing or exhibiting intention to cause harm or trouble, typically by people or animals. It implies the use of force or power to achieve the desired outcome. Menacing behavior may involve physical gestures, verbal threats, or other actions that intimidate or coerce.
Menace can manifest in various forms, including physical, emotional, or psychological harm. For instance, a person may feel menaced by themselves or by an external entity, such as a wild animal, a bully, or a threatening situation. It can also be used as a cautionary term to describe potential risks or hazards that may cause harm or discomfort.
In summary, menace refers to a danger or threat that provokes fear, apprehension, or alarm. It emphasizes the aggressive or harmful nature of an individual or thing, conveying the capacity to cause harm or distress to others.
• To threaten.
• A threat.
• A threat; a threatening.
• To threaten, in any sense; to inspire with apprehension.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "menace" originated from the Old French term "menace" which meant "threat, danger". It was derived from the Latin word "minacia" that had a similar meaning. This Latin term was derived from the verb "minari" meaning "to threaten". Ultimately, it can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*men-" which means "to project, stand out, threaten".
