badass

[bad-as] / ˈbædˌæs /

NOUN

(vulgar) distinctively tough person

Synonyms

STRONG

agitator rebel

WEAK

demagogue dissident fighter frondeur renegade sparkplug

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.

In short, Jarrell-Searcy was a bit of a badass.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Just for a moment, I wanted to join the badass gang that made subversive movies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

The point being that I should not expect to be a badass street officer on Day 1.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

“You are a survivor…I love you so much my badass Warrior.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2025

Jessie’s dead wrong about me being a badass.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera