One more perfect word in the treasure of your 5th level vocabulary. menace UK /ˈmen.ɪs/ US /ˈmen.əs/ [ C usually singular ] something that is likely to cause harm, damage or risk. E.g. Abusive passengers are a menace to aviation safety. Dogs running loose at the airfield are a menace. MENACE can be used as a verb. The aircraft got into stall and all occupants' lives were menaced.