Baneful

Adjective

Definition: Causing harm or ruin; pernicious; destructive.

Synonyms: Harmful, Destructive, Detrimental, Pernicious, Damaging

Antonyms: Beneficial, Advantageous, Helpful, Constructive

Examples:

The baneful effects of smoking on one's health are well-documented.
His baneful influence led the company to financial ruin.

Mnemonics:

Think of the word "bane" which means something that causes distress or harm.
Imagine a poisonous plant with a label "Baneful" indicating its harmful nature.

Etymology:

Origin:

Baneful comes from the Middle English word "baneful" which is derived from the Old English "bana" meaning "death" or "destruction" and the suffix "-ful" meaning "full of" or "characterized by."

Historical Usage:

The word has been used in English since the 14th century to convey the idea of something that is harmful or destructive.