baleful

[ beyl-fuhl ]

adjective

1. full of menacing or malign influences; pernicious.

   Synonyms: deadly, wicked, evil, detrimental, injurious, malign, harmful

2. Obsolete. wretched; miserable.

baleful

/ ˈbeɪlfʊl /

adjective

1. harmful, menacing, or vindictive
2. archaic.
   dejected

Derived Forms

• ˈbalefully, adverb
• ˈbalefulness, noun

Other Words From

• baleful·ly adverb
• baleful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of baleful¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English bealofull. See bale ², -ful

Example Sentences

About this “sharp, sleazy sluice of Southern Gothic horror,” the Guardian writes that it has “a stubborn, almost literary feel for character that accumulates a baleful momentum by the time the finale hits.”

From Washington Post

To that end, Morana, was in many ways, the baleful representation of the advent of winter – the goddess signifying the cycle of death.

From Realm of History

He consequently dines secretly with his old friend Bunker and, through that trickster’s baleful influence, soon finds himself in a Scottish castle, passing himself off as its new laird, Lord Tulliwuddle.

From Washington Post

If you’re ever at a loss to account for why this country is gripped by hatred and belief in baleful falsehoods, click on a few of them.

From Washington Post

She will unearth more than their remains in a quest that becomes a journey of baleful discovery and painful self-discovery.

From The Daily Beast

A cry I was quite unable to suppress escaped me, and the creature turned on the instant and stared at me with baleful eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

As the animal crouched at Bascomb's feet, his baleful eyes turned in the boy's direction, and he growled menacingly.

From Project Gutenberg

Nita groaned, and looked down with loathing eyes at the baleful jewel that hung loosely on her wasted hand.

From Project Gutenberg

I feared, the "luck of the Le Moynes" and their baleful motto.

From Project Gutenberg

He had toiled until he held the baleful genie in a glass vessel partially filled with water, and the sprite could not be seen.

From Project Gutenberg