balefulness

noun

as in vileness

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for balefulness
  1. vileness
  2. badness
  3. diabolism
  4. sinfulness
  5. wickedness
  6. evil
  7. heinousness
  8. evilness
Noun
  • Many have used numbers and moral philosophy to fathom the vileness of slavery in America, for example.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026
Definition of vileness
Noun
  • Leaping around in time, Gilroy draws us into Alex’s world with an effervescent wink at the badness of his behavior.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
  • On one side, a satanic figure named Randall Flagg who gathers his forces of badness to Las Vegas; on the other, the good guys, led by 108-year-old Mother Abigail in, of all places, Boulder.
    — Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of badness
Noun
  • Both Toth’s notoriety and his victimization stem from Corbet’s flirtation with diabolism as the essence of civilization.
    — Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Whatever their theme — spectral invasion, diabolism, shape-changing — Blackwood expertly builds up an atmosphere of the otherworldly coupled with the spiritually threatening.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 9 Dec. 2020
Definition of diabolism
Noun
  • But soon after, in Genesis 18, God tells Abraham of plans to investigate reports of sinfulness in Sodom and Gomorrah.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.
    — Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of sinfulness
Noun
  • Cathy’s treatment of Adam isn’t rooted in innate wickedness, as in Steinbeck’s novel, but personal experience.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Hartnett brings none of the wickedness that made his performance in Trap so much fun, just coming across as flat onscreen even as his character has to navigate some wild turns.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of wickedness
Noun
  • How much capacity do people really have to choose between goodness and evil?
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Both Dussehra and Vijayadashami are observed on the 10th day of the Hindu calendar month of Ashvina and are associated with the triumph of good over evil.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of evil
Noun
  • The case has captured the nation's attention for several reasons over the years, from the heinousness of the charges and the 1,000 survivors to questions about Epstein's connections to the rich and powerful, including the president.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Definition of heinousness
Noun
  • That was really what helped me into the character and into her evilness.
    — William Earl, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Definition of evilness
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

balefully
balefulness
bales
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Cite this Entry

“Balefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balefulness. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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