baleful

adjective

bale·​ful ˈbāl-fəl How to pronounce baleful (audio)
1
: deadly or pernicious in influence
baleful effects
2
: foreboding or threatening evil
gave him a baleful look
balefully adverb
balefulness noun

Did you know?

The bale of baleful comes from Old English bealu ("evil"), and the bane of the similar-looking baneful comes from Old English bana ("slayer" or "murderer"). Baleful and baneful are alike in meaning as well as appearance, and they are sometimes used in quite similar contexts—but they usually differ in emphasis. Baleful typically describes what threatens or portends evil (e.g., "a baleful look," "baleful predictions"). Baneful applies typically to what causes evil or destruction (e.g., "a baneful secret," "the baneful bite of the serpent"). Both words are used to modify terms like influence, effect, and result, and in such uses there is little that distinguishes them.

Choose the Right Synonym for baleful

sinister, baleful, malign mean seriously threatening evil or disaster.

sinister suggests a general or vague feeling of fear or apprehension on the part of the observer.

a sinister aura haunts the place

baleful imputes perniciousness or destructiveness to something whether working openly or covertly.

exerting a corrupt and baleful influence

malign applies to what is inherently evil or harmful.

the malign effects of racism

Examples of baleful in a Sentence

the baleful effects of water pollution a dark, baleful sky portending a tornado
Recent Examples on the Web No mention either of the untold billions of dollars lost due to their failure to truly reform the baleful criminal justice and bail laws that continue to allow sanguinary criminals unabated opportunity to terrorize the law-abiding public. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2024 There’s a baleful, country sound to the score, by the folk duo Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance) and Levine (who is also credited with music supervision, orchestration and arrangements) suited to the Oklahoma setting and an aching desire to escape it. Naveen Kumar, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024 The hells could be said to resemble baleful dresses. Jay Pilgreen, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2024 Other senators reviewed the baleful studies showing that social-media apps on smartphones have been the primary cause of a spike in depression, anxiety, and other mental-health issues, especially among teenaged girls. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 2 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for baleful 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baleful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English balefull "(of humans or animals) bent upon mischief or destruction, malevolent, (of things) pernicious," also "wretched, miserable," going back to Old English bealluful "full of evil, sinful," from bealu bale entry 1 + -ful -ful entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of baleful was before the 12th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near baleful

Cite this Entry

“Baleful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baleful. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

baleful

adjective
bale·​ful ˈbāl-fəl How to pronounce baleful (audio)
1
: deadly or harmful in influence
2
: threatening harm or evil
a baleful look
balefully adverb
balefulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on baleful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!