baleful

USAGE SUMMARY

"baleful" is a valid word in English and can be used in written language.
It is an adjective meaning threatening or ominous. Example: The baleful storm clouds rolling in across the lake created an ominous mood.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Probably a self-portrait, it is a gaunt, life-sized full-frontal nude with a skin-tone of bilious marshy green and orange nipples and one baleful, red, staring eye.

The Guardian - Arts

He said: "George, I hope I am not exceeding my brief if I urge you to look at the baleful effects of stamp duty in London, which is stamping on the fingers of those who are trying to climb the property ladder".

The Guardian

Internationally, Saudi Arabia has also managed to spread its baleful religious influence wider than Iran has done.

The Guardian - Opinion

Why is all the ladies so good-looking?" Then, as if hearing a demonic voice from far away, summoning him back to an eternity of remorse, Stalin cast a baleful look at my popcorn and the ladies of Lost, and faded away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her baleful stare silences me.

The Guardian

They had only to look at the example of Iraq, where the absence of such an agreement led to the premature withdrawal of all American forces, with baleful consequences for the country's security.Another difficulty has been the extent to which America would be obliged to defend Afghanistan against aggression from outside.

The Economist

They exult in the memory of the seventh and eighth centuries, when they carried the word and the sword of Islam out of the Arabian fastness and built an empire from Persia to the Pyrenees.Related items Waking from its sleepJul 23rd 2009 From the archive: When history passes byMay 12th 1990History, though, can exert a baleful influence.

The Economist

Equally, Americans and Europeans are right to assist countries in Russia's near-abroad that want to escape its baleful influence.

The Economist

Meanwhile, Mr Bush could be useful to him.It is a platitude that Mr Blair's foreign policy was his undoing, and its legacy baleful.

The Economist

Unlike Egypt, Tunisia has no history of baleful military rule.

The Economist

Rather it was the judge's electrifying assertion that the whole case appeared to have been subject to a "baleful political influence".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "baleful" with nouns that represent abstract concepts (influence, legacy) or physical features (glare, look) to create a vivid image of negativity.

Common error

Avoid using "baleful" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its strong connotations of evil and misfortune can sound melodramatic or out of place in lighter contexts.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "baleful" primarily functions to qualify nouns, adding a sense of ominousness, evil, or wretchedness. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as an adjective and provides examples showcasing its descriptive use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "baleful" is a grammatically sound adjective that effectively conveys a sense of evil, ominousness, or wretchedness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers several real-world examples. With a "Very common" frequency and use cases concentrated in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, it's vital to understand its use cases and primary function which is to qualify nouns, adding a sense of evil. While "baleful" usage is versatile to add vividness to your written or spoken english, it's also essential to recognize that overusing "baleful" in informal contexts should be avoided to prevent creating a melodramatic or unnatural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baneful

Synonymous, but may carry a more archaic or literary tone.

ominous

Focuses on the idea of predicting or suggesting future misfortune or evil.

menacing

Emphasizes the threatening or dangerous aspect.

sinister

Highlights a sense of lurking evil or potential harm.

threatening

Directly indicates an intention to inflict harm or punishment.

dire

Conveys a sense of extreme seriousness or urgency regarding a negative situation.

portentous

Similar to ominous, but often implies a greater scale or significance.

ill-omened

Directly suggests bad luck or a negative future.

malign

Implies an actively harmful or evil influence.

inauspicious

Indicates an unfavorable or unlucky circumstance or sign.

FAQs

How to use "baleful" in a sentence?

Use "baleful" to describe something that is threatening, ominous, or has a harmful influence. For example: "The "baleful glare" of the storm clouds warned of the approaching tempest."

What can I say instead of "baleful"?

You can use alternatives like "ominous", "menacing", or "sinister" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "baleful" and "evil"?

"Evil" is a broader term referring to profound immorality and wickedness. "Baleful" specifically suggests a threatening or harmful quality, often implying a negative influence or outcome.

Is "baleful" a formal or informal word?

"Baleful" is considered a more formal and literary word, best suited for writing or speaking where a heightened sense of drama or foreboding is desired. In more casual contexts, simpler words like "harmful" or "threatening" might be more appropriate.