bad
Usage
What are other ways to say bad?
When describing things that are lacking in moral qualities or are actually vicious and reprehensible, bad is the broadest and simplest term: a bad man; bad habits. Evil applies to that which violates or leads to the violation of moral law: evil practices. Ill now appears mainly in certain fixed expressions, with a milder implication than that in evil: ill will; ill-natured. Wicked implies willful and determined doing of what is very wrong: a wicked plan.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“It felt like finally waking up from a bad dream,” she tells Charlie.
From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026
“But then I realized pretty quickly that this would lead me down a bad route.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
“We’ll go and watch the film and figure the rest of it out, but I didn’t think it was a bad day.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
The weather is expected to be bad on Thursday in most areas of the country "with long-lasting and intense rains and storms and possibly with local hail", according to the national meteorological service.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
“He’ll probably feel bad and apologize after a while,” she tells me.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
