1
as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
a couple of live wires who got into all kinds of wickedness during their vacation in Las Vegas
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sinfulness
the state or quality of being utterly evil
the movie featured a villain of unadulterated wickedness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wickedness
Unlike horror movies built on shadowy boogeymen bouncing out of the dark, The Witch's tone stays quiet, swarming around themes of bewitchery, black magic, and wickedness without overdoing it.
—
Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
No parent or child should ever be subjected to this wickedness.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Sep. 2025
Seedy wickedness on the corner Despite periodic police raids, this seedy wickedness flourishes.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Dec. 2024
There are undoubtedly people who take a strange pride in the city and state’s blatant wickedness.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for wickedness
Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
No parent or child should ever be subjected to this wickedness.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Sep. 2025
Seedy wickedness on the corner Despite periodic police raids, this seedy wickedness flourishes.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Dec. 2024
There are undoubtedly people who take a strange pride in the city and state’s blatant wickedness.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for wickedness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wickedness
Noun
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Shah Alam was initially charged with felony assault, burglary and criminal mischief.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
All three suspects have been charged with burglary and criminal mischief.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
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This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Fashion Week brings out a bit of playfulness in us all, and Oprah is not immune.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
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All the while, the company emphasized playfulness at the core of creation.—
Emma Madden,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On one side, a satanic figure named Randall Flagg who gathers his forces of badness to Las Vegas; on the other, the good guys, led by 108-year-old Mother Abigail in, of all places, Boulder.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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The show premiered over Thanksgiving weekend, when people were tired and full and bored (and probably also horny), and countered our world’s unceasing badness with its world’s buoyant sweetness.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
5 Feb. 2025
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But even if truffles are beyond your pay grade, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had in the sheer devilment portrayed in this informative and appetizing book.—
Eugenia Bone,
WSJ,
10 July 2019
Noun
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Other works on paper from this period bear witness, in code, to the atrocities unfolding as Argentina’s civil society deteriorated, as well as that of its neighbors.—
Daniel R. Quiles,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
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Moviegoers weren’t discouraged to go to the movies despite the cartel atrocities earlier in the week in Mexico where the Neve Campbell movie did $3M at 870 cinemas, +34% over Scream VI, and record debut for series and YTD.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That was really what helped me into the character and into her evilness.—
William Earl,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wickedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wickedness. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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