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.
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The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta recently revealed that housing affordability nationwide was about as bad as at the peak of the infamous housing bubble of the mid-2000s.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026
This week the Tampa Bay Rays rolled into big, bad Yankee Stadium, put their feet on the couch, and swept the passive, punchless Pinstripes out of the postseason.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
If this were a sitcom— and it feels like a bad one — we would now hear a laugh track followed by groans.
From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2026
Artex was "abused by some bad actors" to launch cyberattacks, the tool's developer "Autumn-27" wrote Thursday on code-hosting platform GitHub.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
I pretended I was happy for the space so he didn’t feel bad.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
According to some authoritative data, housing affordability may now be the worst ever recorded — worse even than at the peak of the crazy housing bubble 20 years ago.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026
The pollution from the chimneys is worse at night, locals insist, when the smoke cannot be so clearly seen.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
“So we’re spending twice as much for a big reduction in population and worse results.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
You didn’t need nine hours of talk radio to absorb it: These Patriots were overrated, these Patriots were regressing, these Patriots were staring at a season they could be worse than the freaking Jets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
“It’s not that— It’s—” How could I explain that I’d gotten distracted by his hat without making everything worse?
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
Based in the Dutch city of The Hague, the ICC tries individuals suspected of the world's worst offences -- war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
According to some authoritative data, housing affordability may now be the worst ever recorded — worse even than at the peak of the crazy housing bubble 20 years ago.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026
This shot of self-confidence came at the worst possible time and led to his greatest defeat.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
Experts said the flames are being fanned by a turbo-charged El Nino weather phenomenon, causing the worst pollution conditions in years.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
He wanted that win in the worst possible way, and for a half second I felt bad about ruining his chances.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
Vocabulary lists containing bad
