Advanced and Proficiency Vocabulary for Exams(e.g.GRE, Banks, Civil Services, SAT / LSAT). For IELTS/TOEFL, and everyday spoken vocabulary, go to our Spoken Vocabulary Database.
Something ‘baleful’ is menacing. It does not express harm done, it instead describes something that threatens harm. It is most commonly used in the context of a look or sound. The word can also be used in relation to a dangerous or corrupting influence.
Exam DB | Spoken DB | Other | |
---|---|---|---|
Synonyms | deleteriouspernicious | malignant, | |
Antonyms | benevolentauspicious | advantageous |
When I spoke over Tom in the meeting, he gave me a baleful look. Clearly he was furious.
Claire is a clever student, but Pauline’s baleful influence over her is holding her back.
Last night, the balefulness of the sounds I could hear coming from the woods made me feel very uneasy.