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bad

[bad] / bæd /










ADJECTIVE
(informal) impressively tough or skillful
Synonyms
Antonyms


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.

Cipriani claimed Shell turned to him for protection against potential bad publicity.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

"My dad would always say to me: 'John can't have a bad game, he's always involved'," Allan recalls.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

“I don’t know anyone who has anything bad to say about her,” Paul Guyett, an engineer at Orbital Operations and a former Starship engineer at SpaceX, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

The worry, of course, is dilution of talent and some really bad contests.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

“Please! I’ve had bad news—oh please, don’t go away!”

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom




Vocabulary lists containing bad


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