Bane — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈbān/

Meaning & Definition of Bane

Bane (noun)

  1. a source of harm or ruin, curse
  2. death, destruction
  3. woe
  4. bone

Bane (verb)

  1. to kill especially with poison

Bane (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a source of harm or misfortune

    "regarding the new laborsaving machinery as a bane, the 19th-century Luddites went about destroying it in protest"

    similar: affliction, curse, nemesis, scourge
    related: hex, hoodoo, jinx, danger, hazard, menace, peril, risk, threat, trouble, booby trap, catch, pitfall, snag
    opposite: benefit, blessing, boon, felicity, godsend, good, manna, windfall
    near: advantage, aid, assistance, gift, help, relief, support, comfort, consolation, solace, delight, joy, pleasure, armor, defense, guard, protection, safeguard, safety, security, shield

  2. 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"

    similar: poison, toxic, toxin, venom
    related: cancer, contagion, disease, virus, fungicide, germicide, herbicide, insecticide, microbicide, pesticide, toxicant
    near: antidote, antivenin, antivenom, mithridate, cure, cure-all, elixir, panacea

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Bane

The most common words with a similar meaning to Bane:

affliction, curse, nemesis, scourge, poison, toxic, toxin, venom

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Bane

Words with the opposite meaning of Bane:

benefit, blessing, boon, felicity, godsend, good, manna, windfall

Related Words for Bane

hex, hoodoo, jinx, danger, hazard, menace, peril, risk, threat, trouble, booby trap, catch, pitfall, snag, cancer, contagion, disease, virus, fungicide, germicide, herbicide, insecticide, microbicide, pesticide, toxicant

Near Antonyms of Bane

advantage, aid, assistance, gift, help, relief, support, comfort, consolation, solace, delight, joy, pleasure, armor, defense, guard, protection, safeguard, safety, security, shield, antidote, antivenin, antivenom, mithridate, cure, cure-all, elixir, panacea

Word Forms of Bane

Inflections: baned, baning

Origin & Etymology of Bane

Middle English, "killer, agent of death, death," going back to Old English bana "killer, agent of death," going back to Germanic *banan- (whence also Old Frisian bana, bona "killer," Old High German bano "killer, murderer," Old Norse bani "murderer, violent death"), of uncertain origin

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Bane

Frequently Asked Questions about Bane

What does "Bane" mean?

"Bane" means a source of harm or ruin, curse. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a source of harm or ruin, curse. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Bane"?

Other words for "Bane" include affliction, curse, nemesis, scourge, poison, toxic, toxin and venom. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Bane" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Bane"?

There are 33 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Bane". Common alternatives include affliction, curse, nemesis, scourge, poison, toxic, toxin and venom.

What is the opposite of "Bane"?

Antonyms of "Bane" include benefit, blessing, boon, felicity, godsend, good, manna and windfall. Near antonyms include advantage, aid, assistance and gift.

How do you use "Bane" in a sentence?

Examples of "Bane" in a sentence: "regarding the new laborsaving machinery as a bane, the 19th-century Luddites went about destroying it in protest"; "a plant that is believed to be the bane of the wolf".

Is "Bane" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Bane" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Bane" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Bane" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Bane"?

"Bane" is pronounced /ˈbān/.