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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Still, Ortega’s performance proves that sulky, baleful gravity doesn’t have to lose its strange luster over time (a third season has already been announced).
—
Tom Gliatto, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for baleful
Tom Gliatto, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for baleful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baleful
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
-
With the game tied and things looking ominous for the Galaxy, Elijah Wynder was held on a cross into the box.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Additionally, there were no serious adverse effects reported.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
-
There were no concerns over safety or adverse events.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Little in the past acknowledged his preference for lethal injection between the two methods, sharing concerns over the impacts on corrections officials from participating in a firing squad execution.—
Kevin Fixler
April 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But as the data shows, violence is largely concentrated among a small number of individuals and increasingly smaller, yet no less violent and lethal, groups of street gangs and crews.—
Andrew S. Boutros,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Upending age-old narrative traditions, Paul’s heroism takes a sinister turn when Herbert reveals that the Bene Gesserit, an Illuminati-like secretive order of psychic matriarchs, has long been conditioning the Fremen to expect the arrival of a messiah, or mahdi, in their native tongue.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
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This advertised butt jokes, campy fight montages and sinister Seth Rogen laughs.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But research has shown that several metabolic and heart diseases impair the immune system’s ability to moderate inflammation—causing harmful levels of inflammation in response to high cholesterol, fat or glucose.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
27 Apr. 2026
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Today, 87% of agricultural subsidies are environmentally or socially harmful.—
Carlos Alvarado Quesada,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As Operation Midway Blitz began to wind down in the Chicago area last November, federal immigration agents launched a new and deadly surge of enforcement in Minneapolis in December and earlier this year.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Dehydration can be dangerous and downright deadly, and that's even more true for a senior.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Idaho lawmakers spent hours debating a surge in rodents menacing Boise-area gardens and kitchens and threatening agriculture and public health.—
Karin Brulliard,
Washington Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Too much fertilizer can be detrimental to this wildflower.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
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Indeed, a large body of research has documented the detrimental impact of negative news on individuals’ mental and physical health, attitudes, and behaviors.—
Karen McIntyre,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baleful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baleful. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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