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baneful

[beyn-fuhl]
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adjective
  1. destructive; pernicious: a baneful superstition.
  2. deadly; poisonous: baneful herbs.
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Origin of baneful

First recorded in 1570–80; bane + -ful
Related formsbane·ful·ly, adverbbane·ful·ness, noun
Can be confusedbaleful baneful

Synonyms

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harmful, noxious; venomous, toxic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

balefulcalamitousdeadlydeleteriousdestructivedisastrousevilfatalharmfulhurtfulnoxiousperniciouspestilentpoisonousvenomouswickedpestilentialmalefic

Examples from the Web for baneful

Historical Examples

  • From the housing question to the dearth of servants we feel its baneful effects.

    The Curse of Education

    Harold E. Gorst

  • It is in fact the healing caduceus as well as the baneful thunder-weapon.

  • The consequences to society are also of the most baneful nature.

  • The baneful effects of forcing the voice is clearly set forth.

  • My childhood was environed by the baneful peculiarities of the slave system.

    My Bondage and My Freedom

    Frederick Douglass

British Dictionary definitions for baneful

baneful

adjective
  1. archaic destructive, poisonous, or fatal
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Derived Formsbanefully, adverbbanefulness, 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