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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

As evening descends on Paris, there are ominous signs for what lies ahead tonight.

— Elina Baudier Kim, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Once storms roll through, things will change with temperatures falling for the afternoon, light rain and drizzle around, and cloudy ominous skies.

— Ron Smiley, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ominous

Adjective

In fact, the National Trust for Historic Preservation says the nationwide average for a review is 16 days, and that 98% of those reviews conclude that the project will have no adverse effect on nearby historic resources.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
High prices also a factor But despite positive weather news and whispers of an abundance of crab, other factors could affect prices in adverse ways for consumers.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of adverse

Adjective

Local government and outside groups have long strived to ban the popular tourist attraction that critics argue is harmful to horses’ well-being.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Waters are becoming cloudier overall, while harmful algal blooms — measured through chlorophyll a levels — are trending in the wrong direction, the report found.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

Measles usually kills two or three people in every 1,000 cases, the WHO says, but the disease can be more deadly in poorer nations because of factors such as malnutrition.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
The deadly fire erupted Saturday at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where fierce winds fueled flames that spread beyond the installation and into surrounding rural areas.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of deadly

Adjective

Hyperscalers opine on how detrimental electrical outages are to their business.

— Drew Robb, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Kennon, who is currently being held in Falkenburg Road Jail, was released from the program due to conduct detrimental to the team, the school said.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of detrimental

Browse Nearby Words

bale

baleful

balefully

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Baleful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baleful. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of baleful

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes