1. Portending evil; ominous. See synonyms at sinister. 2. Harmful or malignant in intent or effect.
OTHER FORMS:
baleful·ly ADVERB baleful·ness NOUN
USAGE NOTE:
Baleful and baneful overlap in meaning, but baleful usually applies to something that is menacing or foreshadows evil: a baleful look.Baneful most often describes that which is actually harmful or destructive: baneful effects of their foreign policy.