bane

noun

ˈbān How to pronounce bane (audio)
Definition of banenext
1
as in curse
a source of harm or misfortune regarding the new laborsaving machinery as a bane, the 19th-century Luddites went about destroying it in protest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in poison
a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing a plant that is believed to be the bane of the wolf

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bane Radio-frequency jamming is the bane of drones and reportedly prevents a large proportion of FPVs from reaching their targets. — David Hambling, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 Below that class of contenders, though, the Heat have had an opportunity to resemble the likes of the Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks (29-24), Detroit Pistons (29-26) and Orlando Magic (27-29), but a pattern of close losses has been the bane of Miami’s existence. — James Jackson, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 Acronyms have been the bane of Newcastle United’s post-takeover existence. — Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025 And then mentioned the bane of many drivers (including me), a flat tire repair kit that Tesla offers. — Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bane
  1. curse
  2. poison
  3. nemesis
  4. disease
  5. toxic
Noun
  • The annual cost-of-living adjustment Social Security recipients receive is both a blessing and a curse.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Homewood’s location on the western shore of Lake Tahoe is both a blessing and a curse.
    — Megan Michelson, Outside Online, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of curse
Noun
  • All about the poison There was a lot that needed to be tied up in that final episode of the HBO series about tourists at various exotic resorts.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In addition, these same poisons can damage a cell’s DNA which can allow that cell to grow out of control and cause cancer.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of poison
Noun
  • Both qualities suggest he’ll be easily manipulated by the senior senator from his home state, who ultimately becomes Smith’s saboteur and nemesis when the scales fall from the younger man’s eyes.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Naturally, Rand, the Dark One’s nemesis, is tops on their hit list.
    — Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of nemesis
Noun
  • However, in the U.S., the CDC has concluded there is no evidence that pesticides are effective in preventing these diseases and does not recommend this practice.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The Harmattan facilitates the spread of diseases, such as influenza.
    — Christophe Lavaysse, JSTOR Daily, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of disease
Noun
  • In Colorado, the process to choose the five priority air toxics included consulting with multiple stakeholders.
    — Jenni Shearston, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
  • What these arguments fail to understand is that DEI protections were put in place for certain groups because of historically discriminatory hiring practices and to course-correct toxic, racist, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, and sexist workplaces.
    — Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 30 Jan. 2025
Definition of toxic

Browse Nearby Words

bandy words
bane
baneful
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Cite this Entry

“Bane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bane. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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