Entry Word: bad

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 falling short of a standard <a bad first attempt at making meat loaf resulted in a soggy inedible mess>

Synonyms deficient, inferior, lousy, off, poor, punk, rotten, substandard, unacceptable, ungodly, unsatisfactory, wanting, wretched, wrong

Related Words defective, faulty, flawed; execrable, lesser, low-grade, mediocre, reprehensible, second-rate, unspeakable; bum, useless, valueless, worthless; inadequate, insufficient, lacking; astray; scurrilous, villainous

Phrases below (or under) par

Near Antonyms choice, excellent, exceptional, first-class, first-rate, premium, prime, superior; adequate, sufficient

Antonyms acceptable, satisfactory

2 not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable <stealing is just plain bad>

Synonyms black, evil, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, rotten, sinful, unethical, unrighteous, unsavory, vicious, vile, villainous, wicked, wrong

Related Words base, contemptible, despicable, dirty, disreputable, evil-minded, ignoble, ill, infernal, low, mean; atrocious, cruel, nasty; blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible; corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, loose, perverted, reprobate; banned, barred, condemned, discouraged, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, unauthorized, unclean; disallowed; execrable, lousy, miserable, wretched; erring, fallen, unprincipled, unscrupulous; improper, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, unbecoming

Near Antonyms high-minded, honest, honorable, law-abiding, legitimate, principled, reputable, right-minded, scrupulous, straight, upright; allowed, authorized, legal, licensed, permissible, permitted; approved, endorsed, sanctioned; abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported; clean, correct, decent, decorous, exemplary, proper, seemly; blameless, commendable, creditable, guiltless; chaste, immaculate, innocent, irreproachable, lily-white, perfect, pure, spotless

Antonyms good, ethical, moral, right, righteous, virtuous

3 causing or capable of causing harm <sitting too close to the television is said to be bad for the eyes> — see harmful
4 engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior <the children were bad, so they didn't get dessert> — see naughty
5 feeling unhappiness <losing always makes him feel bad> — see sad 1
6 having a fault <a bad video connection that is causing some picture loss> — see faulty
7 having undergone organic breakdown <I think the milk has turned bad> — see rotten 1
8 not giving pleasure to the mind or senses <the air in the damp basement had a very bad smell> — see unpleasant
9 of low quality <bad shoes that fell apart within a week> — see cheap 2
10 temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body <Iʼve been feeling bad all week with this cold> — see sick 1