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 those who feel Eden is being stolen from them, remember the metaphor: knowledge of good and evil.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
The evil was not merely that searches occurred but that the government treated entire populations as searchable first and innocent later.
From Slate • May 20, 2026
I guess the underlying story I want to tell is that there is no reason for evil intention behind anything, but innocent acts can build up to something tragic.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026
Simon said he had "seen evil" in his job and that it was "like working with the devil face to face".
From BBC • May 13, 2026
“Yeah, evil monsters not listening to you—who could have predicted that?”
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
Vocabulary lists containing evil
Bush's Address on 9/11
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"Frankenstein" and "How Frankenstein Began"
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"The Flying Machine" by Ray Bradbury
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