What is the Opposite(Antonym) of “baleful”?

The Opposite(Antonym) of “baleful”

The antonym of baleful is benign, harmless, and innocuous. The antonyms benign, harmless, and innocuous convey a positive or harmless meaning. It implies a lack of danger, harm, or threat.

Explore all Antonyms of “baleful”

• benign
• harmless
• innocuous

Definitions and Examples of benign, harmless, innocuous

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

benign

Gentle, kindly; not harmful in effect.

Example

The tumor turned out to be benign, and the patient was relieved to hear that it was not cancerous.

harmless

Not likely to cause harm or injury.

Example

The spider in the corner was harmless, and the children were fascinated by its intricate web.

innocuous

Not likely to cause harm or offense.

Example

The joke he made was innocuous, and everyone laughed at it without feeling offended.

Key Differences: benign vs harmless vs innocuous

• 1. Benign describes something that is gentle and kindly, whereas baleful describes something that is threatening or harmful.
• 2. Harmless describes something that is not likely to cause harm or injury, whereas baleful describes something that is dangerous or menacing.
• 3. Innocuous describes something that is not likely to cause harm or offense, whereas baleful describes something that is malevolent or evil.

Effective Usage of benign, harmless, innocuous

• 1. Medical Context: Use benign to describe non-cancerous tumors or growths.
• 2. Animal Context: Use harmless to describe non-venomous or non-aggressive animals.
• 3. Social Context: Use innocuous to describe harmless jokes or comments that are not likely to offend anyone.

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Remember this!

The antonyms have distinct nuances: Benign conveys kindness and gentleness, harmless denotes safety and lack of danger, and innocuous refers to things that are not likely to cause harm or offense. Use these words in medical, animal, or social contexts to convey positive or harmless meanings.