Standard Lemma guide

minacious

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /məˈneɪʃəs/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /mɪˈneɪʃəs/

1

adj

Meaning 1

Synonym of threatening, in its various senses.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic, not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: threatening

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a baleful look
  • forbidding thunderclouds
  • his tone became menacing
  • ominous rumblings of discontent
  • sinister storm clouds
  • a sinister smile
  • his threatening behavior
  • ugly black clouds
  • the situation became ugly

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: baleful, forbidding, menacing, minatory, ominous, sinister, threatening

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Late Latin minacia (“threat”) + -ious, from Latin minax (“threatening”) + -ia (suffix forming abstract nouns). Cf. Italian minaccioso, attested 1532.