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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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
At another, this baleful ribbon emanates from the shell of a totaled BMW 325iS, the very model of car once associated in the region with gang terror — elsewhere shown cruising and spinning on dusty roads, like urban harbingers of doom amid rural tranquility.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
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
At another, this baleful ribbon emanates from the shell of a totaled BMW 325iS, the very model of car once associated in the region with gang terror — elsewhere shown cruising and spinning on dusty roads, like urban harbingers of doom amid rural tranquility.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Feb. 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,
6 June 2025
-
Punched in the face That could explain the chain saw-wielding, the jumping up and down onstage, the manic baby-making and crusading for more spreading of sperm by smart people and the ominous Nazi-style salutes.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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The consequences are both deeply personal and widely systemic: Women are more likely to be misdiagnosed, experience adverse drug reactions, and face delays in care.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Mifepristone is currently part of that program, though a wealth of research has shown that less than 0.5% of women who take it have serious adverse reactions.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Now 20 years later, Stanko is set to be executed by lethal injection in South Carolina on Friday, June 13, in what will be the nation's 23rd execution of the year and the fourth this week alone.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
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But after autopsy results from the last inmate killed by that method showed that the bullets from the three volunteers nearly missed his heart, Stanko chose lethal injection.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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By the end of the season, President George W. Bush arrives at the family’s doorstep, masquerading as Rumi’s friend while barely concealing his sinister intentions.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
2 June 2025
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Idyllic getaways unravel into haunting mysteries, exposing the sinister secrets lurking beneath sunlit shores, mountain retreats and bustling boardwalks; Jessica Biel narrates.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Avoid reusing or reheating cooking oils to prevent harmful compounds.35 Taste and flavor: Canola, grapeseed, corn, soybean, safflower, and sunflower oils are ideal for sautéing or baking.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
12 June 2025
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Independent testing confirms that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the label and is free from harmful contaminants.—
Nick Blackmer,
Health,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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While people who have had measles gain immunity, there can be risks and deadly consequences.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
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The Los Angeles Police Department charged him with assault with a deadly weapon the next day after the rapper allegedly entered the wrong home while looking for his girlfriend and swung a hatchet at two people.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2025
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Make that the second scariest, as Claire’s antics bring another menacing character into their lives, when her dealer, Jackie (Domhnall Gleeson), shows up at Echo Valley looking for 10 grand in heroin.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Of course, not getting The Notebook was far from detrimental, as Witherspoon became a leading romantic comedy actress and starred in Legally Blonde, Sweet Home Alabama, Vanity Fair, Walk the Line and Just Like Heaven — all from 2001 to 2005.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
1 June 2025
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This change is especially detrimental to the daughter’s character, forcing Łubik to spend most of her performance hysterically responding to her mother’s actions.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baleful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baleful. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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