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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But let’s remind ourselves: It’s better to be lucky than good, and that Betts has been unlucky, which is bad.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
One of those at the meeting, Rebecca Gill, said she had a bad experience after having to travel to Antrim when she was pregnant.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
For parents, however, the problem goes beyond bad geography.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
Tribak described his life as "not bad", but told AFP: "I thought I would earn more if I put in the same effort there as I do here."
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
“Just so you know,” I warned, “if you think my Kanyen’kéha is bad, I know even less about beading.”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
When it goes wrong, the more leverage, the worse the problem.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
By contrast, p-cresol sulfate and phenol sulfate come from tyrosine and have been linked to worse outcomes in cancer patients as well as systemic toxicity in people with kidney disease.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 15, 2026
He’s not the only disappointment: Mookie Betts is hitting worse than ever before in his career while another newcomer, $240-million man Kyle Tucker, is hitting just .239 with 11 home runs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
"Even though Europe's problems have only gotten worse with this summer's abnormally hot temperatures, drying rivers and further disrupting transport within the continent, earnings expectations for Stoxx 600 companies keep rising!"
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
But then Celia’s face falls, and I feel even worse.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
The Dodgers’ loss to Milwaukee on Thursday will prove to be the worst of the season, come October.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026
It was the firm’s worst monthly loss ever, one of the people said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Croatia's fire chief Slavko Tucakovic described it as "one of the worst" blazes in the country's history.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Pereira's worst affected neighborhoods were also its most impoverished, with homeless people, Venezuelan migrants and street vendors in precarious situations bearing the brunt of the impact.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
Staying there in Maidin Bay wasn’t going to be the worst thing.
From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff
Vocabulary lists containing bad
