evil
Usage
What are other ways to say evil?
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. Bad is the broadest and simplest term: a bad man; bad habits.
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.
To return to the historical evidence, the weakening of political and economic institutions is usually enough for the evil deed to be done.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026
With few words, Kuznetsov projects such decency and conviction that he recalls any number of virtuous fictional lawyers of yesteryear who stood up to evil.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
“They think we’re these evil business owners,” she said, shuddering.
From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026
Some films cast the King of the Monsters as a protector unconsciously joining humanity – and occasionally, King Kong – to fend off some mammoth existential evil.
From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026
What if she was like one of those evil fairy godmothers in a fairy tale, about to foretell an innocent baby’s doom?
From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
