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.
But with the economy as bad as it is, she said, “I’ll have to be a bit more humble in my demands.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026
Years ago, on particularly bad days, when the air around the smelter was hazy, “it would choke you out. It was like walking in a cloud,” Bunger said.
From Salon • May 10, 2026
Do parents think they have … bad kids, I wonder?
From Slate • May 10, 2026
They will try to convince themselves that a point at Fir Park is not a bad thing, especially since Celtic have to go there on Wednesday.
From BBC • May 9, 2026
About how he talked more than he listened and made Avery feel bad when she couldn’t do a skateboarding trick he was trying to teach her and ditched her for other people at the pool.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
Vocabulary lists containing bad
