Dictionary

baneful

adjective bane·ful \ˈbān-fəl\

: causing destruction or serious damage : bad or evil

Full Definition of BANEFUL

1
:  productive of destruction or woe :  seriously harmful <a baneful influence>
2
archaic :  poisonous
bane·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb
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First Known Use of BANEFUL

1579

Synonym Discussion of BANEFUL

pernicious, baneful, noxious, deleterious, detrimental mean exceedingly harmful. pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining <the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society>. baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying <the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity>. noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind <noxious chemical fumes>. deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect <a diet found to have deleterious effects>. detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified <the detrimental effects of excessive drinking>.

Rhymes with BANEFUL

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