baleful
full of menacing or malign influences; pernicious.
Obsolete. wretched; miserable.
Origin of baleful
1Other words for baleful
Other words from baleful
- bale·ful·ly, adverb
- bale·ful·ness, noun
Words that may be confused with baleful
- baleful , baneful
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use baleful in a sentence
Irritably, he complies, but when the stewardess moves on, he reclines the chair again, muttering balefully under his breath.
Stacks: Hitting the Note with the Allman Brothers Band | Grover Lewis | March 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHis single huge eye glared down at us balefully from over the altar as we stood, overwhelmed in the presence.
Where the Pavement Ends | John Russell“Be careful of your words, my little Yankee,” and the black eyes of the lady glittered balefully.
A Daughter of the Union | Lucy Foster MadisonWhen Enslee left Persis and entered the men's coat-room, Forbes' eyes followed him balefully.
What Will People Say? | Rupert HughesFor he saw Dorgan watching Randerson with a bitter sneer on his lips, his eyes glittering coldly and balefully!
The Range Boss | Charles Alden Seltzer
Out of her shriveled, unlovely face her eyes gleamed balefully.
The Cinder Pond | Carroll Watson Rankin
British Dictionary definitions for baleful
/ (ˈbeɪlfʊl) /
harmful, menacing, or vindictive
archaic dejected
Derived forms of baleful
- balefully, adverb
- balefulness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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