the baneful effects

[Cunning Fox]

Would you consider the adjective "baneful" literary/formal or archaic? Some dictionaries say the word is literary whereas others claim it's archaic. I try not to use archaic words in speech and writing hence my question.

Let's take an example sentence: "the baneful effects of climate change can't further be ignored". Does it sound stilted?

 

[5jj]

It's archaic. Don't use it.

 

[Cunning Fox]

It's archaic. Don't use it.

Thank you. Could you please also tell me whether "baleful" is archaic too (I assume the words are synonyms)?

 

[Tdol]

These are not good words as they suggest climate change is somewhat of the past- use terms from today. We don't call muggers highwaymen.