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baneful

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adjective bane·ful \ˈbān-fəl\

Definition of baneful

  1. 1 :  productive of destruction or woe :  seriously harmful a baneful influence

  2. 2 archaic :  poisonous

banefully

play \-fə-lē\ adverb

See baneful defined for English-language learners

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Examples of baneful in a Sentence

  1. The legislation could have a baneful effect on the poor.

  2. the baneful consequences of war

First Known Use of baneful

1566

baneful Synonyms

Synonyms
adverse, bad, baleful, harmful, damaging, dangerous, deleterious, detrimental, evil, hurtful, ill, injurious, mischievous, nocuous, noxious, pernicious, prejudicial, wicked
Antonyms
anodyne, benign, harmless, hurtless, innocent, innocuous, inoffensive, safe
Related Words
hostile, inimical, unfriendly; contagious, deadly, infectious, infective, pestiferous, pestilent, pestilential, poisonous, venomous; insidious, menacing, ominous, sinister, threatening; hazardous, imperiling (or imperilling), jeopardizing, parlous, perilous, risky, unsafe, unsound; nasty, noisome, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome; destructive, fatal, killer, lethal, malignant, ruinous
Near Antonyms
advantageous, beneficial, useful; favorable, good, propitious; curative, healthful, healthy, helpful, palliative, remedial, salubrious, salutary, wholesome; secure, sound; benignant; noncorrosive, nondestructive, nonfatal, noninfectious, nonlethal, nonpoisonous, nonpolluting, nontoxic, nonvenomous

Synonym Discussion of baneful

pernicious, baneful, noxious, deleterious, detrimental mean exceedingly harmful. pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining. the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying. the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind. noxious chemical fumes deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect. a diet found to have deleterious effects detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified. the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

BANEFUL Defined for English Language Learners

baneful

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adjective

Definition of baneful for English Language Learners

  • : causing destruction or serious damage : bad or evil

Learn More about baneful

  1. See words that rhyme with baneful Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for baneful Spanish Central: Translation of baneful Nglish: Translation of baneful for Spanish speakers

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Examples: baneful in a Sentence
Tip: Synonym Guide