BALEFUL Synonyms: 187 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'baleful' different from other adjectives like it?

The words malign and sinister are common synonyms of baleful . While all three words mean "seriously threatening evil or disaster," baleful imputes perniciousness or destructiveness to something whether working openly or covertly. // exerting a corrupt and baleful influence

Q: In what contexts can 'malign' take the place of 'baleful'?

The words malign and baleful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malign applies to what is inherently evil or harmful. // the malign effects of racism

Q: When would 'sinister' be a good substitute for 'baleful'?

The words sinister and baleful can be used in similar contexts, but sinister suggests a general or vague feeling of fear or apprehension on the part of the observer. // a sinister aura haunts the place

baleful

adjective

ˈbāl-fəl

Definition of baleful

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

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

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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Synonym Chooser

How is the word baleful different from other adjectives like it?

The words malign and sinister are common synonyms of baleful. While all three words mean "seriously threatening evil or disaster," baleful imputes perniciousness or destructiveness to something whether working openly or covertly.

exerting a corrupt and baleful influence

In what contexts can malign take the place of baleful?

The words malign and baleful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malign applies to what is inherently evil or harmful.

the malign effects of racism

When would sinister be a good substitute for baleful?

The words sinister and baleful can be used in similar contexts, but sinister suggests a general or vague feeling of fear or apprehension on the part of the observer.

a sinister aura haunts the place

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for baleful

Adjective

The film fairly vibrates with ominous tension even in scenes in which seemingly nothing happens.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The horror movie takes place in Vision’s mind-mansion, which Butcherbird has filled with red light, dark shadows, and ominous imagery.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of ominous

Adjective

Feathers McGraw, the sinister penguin villain from the Wallace & Gromit films, also makes a Hitchcockian cameo.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Other examples are more sinister—for instance, the far-right takeover of Croatian Wikipedia, or efforts by corporations to launder their images.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of sinister

Adjective

Social media giant Meta was hit with a class action lawsuit in Australia on behalf of children and teenagers who allegedly suffered harm over the addictive design features and exposure to harmful content on its platforms Facebook and Instagram.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Their contracts can run hundreds of pages, making harmful terms easy to bury.

— Emma Witman, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

Police charged 52-year-old Mooresville resident Rod Moskowitz with assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, court records show.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
Memories are fresh of the nationwide protests sparked by economic pressures that led to a deadly crackdown weeks before the war.

— Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of deadly

Adjective

This establishment of this family-friendly version of Castle Rock led to Pumpkinhead 2’s final scene, which teases the arrival of a menacing, giggly presence from Afraid of Clowns.

— Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
And Dastmalchian, who portrays Bison with an emphasis on sniveling evil, struggles to quietly undercut the character’s cartoonishly menacing getup.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of menacing

Adjective

The company still faces numerous personal injury claims and a separate federal case involving a group of nationwide school districts that also focus on allegations that apps like Instagram have had detrimental effects on the well being of children.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Often, those firms’ IT heads think those changes are detrimental.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of detrimental

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baleful

balefully

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“Baleful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baleful. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of baleful

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