bane

1 a source of harm or misfortune regarding the new laborsaving machinery as a bane, the 19th-century Luddites went about destroying it in protest Synonyms affliction, curse, nemesis, scourge Related Words hex, hoodoo, jinx; danger, hazard, menace, peril, risk, threat, trouble; booby trap, catch, pitfall, snag Near Antonyms advantage, aid, assistance, gift, help, relief, support; comfort, consolation, solace; delight, joy, pleasure; armor, defense, guard, protection, safeguard, safety, security, shield Antonyms benefit, blessing, boon, felicity, godsend, good, manna, windfall

2 a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing a plant that is believed to be the bane of the wolf Synonyms poison, toxic, toxin, venomRelated Words cancer, contagion, disease, virus; fungicide, germicide, herbicide, insecticide, microbicide, pesticide, toxicantNear Antonyms antidote, antivenin, antivenom, mithridate; cure; cure-all, elixir, panacea