The act of making menaces or threats.
present participle of menace
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
"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"
Suggesting imminent harm.