1
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
a dark, baleful sky portending a tornado
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adverse
causing or capable of causing harm
contends that the violent content of so much of popular entertainment is a baleful influence on our society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
a medicine that is beneficial in small doses but baleful in large
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of baleful
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baleful
Adjective
-
There’s the ominous sense that the monkeys lurking around the resort might just be the same ones wielding swords in the frescoes.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Those recall notices referred to a permanent solution without specifying what that might be—something that could be read as ominous or hopeful.—
Eric Bangeman,
Ars Technica,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Sitting for too long can lead to a host of adverse health effects, but taking short movement breaks throughout the day can offset these risks.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Health,
12 Feb. 2025
-
Some such adverse impacts include difficulty driving or with close-up activities like reading, writing, cooking, sewing or fixing things around the house.—
Daryl Austin,
USA TODAY,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Minderoo Foundation, founded in 2001 and co-led by Forrest and his wife from whom he is separated, has come to fund everything from efforts to address lethal humidity to climate migration.—
Justin Worland,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Chris Wood is in lethal goalscoring form, while goalkeeper Matz Sels has notched 10 clean sheets this season — just one behind Liverpool’s record of 11.—
Julia Ranney,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Deepfakes first attracted attention for its use in making fake celebrity pornographic films, but their uses have subsequently evolved to more sinister reasons.—
Rohan Pinto,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Columbia Pictures When Bobbie also suddenly transforms, Joanna discovers that her best friend has been replaced by a robot—along with all the other wives—and realizes the sinister forces at work in Stepford are coming for her next.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Studies have shown that testers can harbor harmful bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (a common cause of styes and other infections), E. coli, yeast, and mold.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Organic farms use natural farming methods to keep the soil, water, and environment free from potentially harmful chemicals.7 Similarities Grass-fed and organic foods share a commitment to natural farming.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, LD,
Health,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The deadly blaze erupted Saturday just before 2 p.m. near Fenwick Street, officials told WFSB-TV.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Armed gangs now control approximately 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, carrying out kidnappings, extortion, and deadly clashes with security forces.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Slimani is a hardened criminal made less menacing by Kateb’s faltering rhythms in English, the gang’s lingua franca.—
Ben Kenigsberg,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Others see something darker and more menacing for the country and its future.—
Chris Megerian,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
According to a new study from the University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa, plastics are becoming the most prevalent form of pollution in the ocean, which can be detrimental to marine species and their habitat.—
Monica Cull,
Discover Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Losing this momentum will be very detrimental to finding the TRUTH, which is turning out to be a disaster for those involved in running our Government.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baleful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baleful. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share