1
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
a dark, baleful sky portending a tornado
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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
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3
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
a medicine that is beneficial in small doses but baleful in large
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of baleful
The baleful stare that was such a part of Foreman’s first act as a boxer and public personality was missing, replaced by a look of mischief.
—
Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
But Donald Trump’s tariff attacks on Canada—and, even more, his insistence that the country should be incorporated as the fifty-first state—may halt this slow drift into the United States’ baleful orbit, at least for now.
—Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025
Women are thought of as contaminants in the heya and arm candy outside it; the sponsors exert a baleful commercial pressure on the fighters.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2025
According to this view, in spite of the baleful impact of the Jewish people as a whole, rare Jewish individuals could stand out.
—Gregory Fried, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2014
See All Example Sentences for baleful
Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
But Donald Trump’s tariff attacks on Canada—and, even more, his insistence that the country should be incorporated as the fifty-first state—may halt this slow drift into the United States’ baleful orbit, at least for now.
—Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025
Women are thought of as contaminants in the heya and arm candy outside it; the sponsors exert a baleful commercial pressure on the fighters.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2025
According to this view, in spite of the baleful impact of the Jewish people as a whole, rare Jewish individuals could stand out.
—Gregory Fried, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2014
See All Example Sentences for baleful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baleful
Adjective
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Lately, some employees are noticing an ominous trend in their career trajectories.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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The Giants tanked immediately after acquiring a high-profile superstar with a nine-figure contract, which was inexplicable, unexpected and ominous.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Concerns or reports of adverse effects can be directed to the FDA's Human Foods Program at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366).—
Matt Cannon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Such issues include severe weather impacts, adverse road conditions and trash buildups that pose a threat to human and/or wildlife health.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Tennessee law holds that those who committed crimes before 1999 can choose between being put to death by lethal injection or the electric chair.—
Evan Mealins,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
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And of course 100% lethal to the child.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Is their entire a life a facade for something more sinister?—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
3 Oct. 2025
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Drawn in by her fortune and allure, Calvin accepts an invitation aboard her superyacht Eternity, only to realize her glamorous world hides sinister secrets.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Hendryx also said the move would lead to more environmental destruction, more local air and water pollution from mining sites, more pollution from power plants, more harmful contributions to climate change emissions, and other negative impacts.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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The lack of structure could have harmful consequences for kids in the long run.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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During a three-day rampage of gang violence, some 80 people died — the deadliest days in El Salvador since its civil war.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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One Pasteurella-like microbe carried genetic hints of virulence and has ties to deadly outbreaks in modern African elephants.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Additional revelations hint of Kiri's evolving powers, the menacing Quaritch bonding with Varang to help defeat the Na'vi, a spectacular air/sea clash between the Ash People, the RDA, and the Na’vi, and Spider threatening to kill someone offscreen.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Who’s messing with the lights and filling the air with menacing rumbles and zaps?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Overwatering mums is just as detrimental as underwatering.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
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Trump warned that major changes could occur — which could be detrimental to Democrats — if the government runs out of funding.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baleful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baleful. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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