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
Orange County officials are the most recent to come under his baleful gaze.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025
Dafoe’s presence and a distinctively baleful island ambience represent the chief selling points of this predominantly feel-bad exercise, premiering in Locarno’s Piazza Grande program.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 9 Aug. 2025
The truth is there in the baleful eyes of the figures who don’t get to speak, especially the bloodied prisoners handcuffed to the stair railing at the police station where her mother works.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Its baleful guitar and hackneyed vocals make the average doubts shared by everyone who has ever been in love seem generic.
—Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for baleful
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025
Dafoe’s presence and a distinctively baleful island ambience represent the chief selling points of this predominantly feel-bad exercise, premiering in Locarno’s Piazza Grande program.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 9 Aug. 2025
The truth is there in the baleful eyes of the figures who don’t get to speak, especially the bloodied prisoners handcuffed to the stair railing at the police station where her mother works.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Its baleful guitar and hackneyed vocals make the average doubts shared by everyone who has ever been in love seem generic.
—Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for baleful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baleful
Adjective
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If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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Trying to outrun the ominous presence, Eve will face the darkest parts of herself and uncover what she is made of.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Because obesity will drive higher blood pressure, higher blood sugar, more adverse cholesterol levels—all sorts of things—that sort of becomes a perfect storm.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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These weather conditions will result in elevated fire potential and a threat of adverse fire behavior.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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He’s sent to the deadly planet Genna, where every flora and fauna has evolved to be as lethal as possible, and given the seemingly impossible task of killing a fierce creature known as the Kalisk.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Nov. 2025
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How Nashville police got involved Nashville Police Chief John Drake said the department's specialized investigation unit saw a rise in violent crime two years ago, including non-lethal shootings and homicides connected to the MS-13 gang.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But as old tensions flare between them, Katie begins to experience terrifying visions and a ghostly presence warning of something sinister lurking aboard.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Which casts a show seemingly designed to bypass all judgments with respect to storytelling and taste, gliding straight to the pleasure center of some imaginary horny, enraged, shopaholic feminine id, in a fairly sinister light.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Specialty cleaners made for glass cooktops don’t contain harmful ingredients like ammonia.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
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Small settings changes can make a big difference in reducing exposure to harmful or suggestive content.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Burbank Police Department also shared a security camera video from the deadly shootout.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Jan. 2026
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Look to the upper region of the lunar crescent to find the menacing form of the Aristotles crater with its eastern rim bathed in impenetrable shadow.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
26 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Rat poison, in Saban-speak, is what is detrimental to teams that start believing their hype and losing focus on the controllables like working as hard as possible every day.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
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So did the first-round bye really prove to be that detrimental?—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baleful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baleful. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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