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Hostile vs Baleful - What's the difference?

hostile | baleful |

As adjectives the difference between hostile and baleful

is that hostile is belonging or appropriate to an enemy; showing the disposition of an enemy; showing ill will and malevolence, or a desire to thwart and injure; occupied by an enemy or enemies; inimical; unfriendly while baleful is portending evil; ominous.

As a noun hostile

is (chiefly|in the plural) an enemy.

hostile

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Belonging or appropriate to an enemy; showing the disposition of an enemy; showing ill will and malevolence, or a desire to thwart and injure; occupied by an enemy or enemies; inimical; unfriendly
    • a hostile force
    hostile intentions
    a hostile country
    hostile to a sudden change

    Related terms

    * hostility * See also

    Synonyms

    * antagonistic * hateful

    Antonyms

    * friendly

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (chiefly, in the plural) An enemy.

    • Anagrams

    * * ----

    baleful

    English

    Alternative forms

    * balefull (archaic)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Portending evil; ominous.
  • * 1674 -- John Milton: )
    • round he throws his baleful eyes, that witnessed huge affliction and dismay.
  • * 1873 ,
    • The street-lamps burn amid the baleful glooms,
    Amidst the soundless solitudes immense
    Of ranged mansions dark and still as tombs.
  • Miserable, wretched, distressed, suffering.