badland

noun

bad·​land ˈbad-ˌland How to pronounce badland (audio)
Synonyms of badlandnext
: a region marked by intricate erosional sculpturing, scanty vegetation, and fantastically formed hills
usually used in plural

Examples of badland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Gateway to the park, Medora offers its own Wild West relics such as Chateau de Mores, the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Maah Daah Hey Trail and a summertime outdoor musical inspired by Roosevelt’s badlands days. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 May 2026 Grand Canyon National Park offers jaw-dropping views of this massive geological wonder, while Saguaro National Park celebrates the iconic native cactus and Petrified Forest National Park showcases ancient fossils and vibrant badlands. Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 27 Apr. 2026 That’s a good place to be in these badlands. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026 At nearly 650,000 acres — just smaller than Yosemite — the park unfolds as a vast mosaic of mountains, badlands and open desert valleys extending far beyond the reach of the pavement. Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for badland

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of badland was in 1850

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Cite this Entry

“Badland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/badland. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

badland

noun
bad·​land ˈbad-ˌland How to pronounce badland (audio)
: a region where natural forces have worn away the soft rocks into sharp and complicated shapes and where plant life is scarce
usually used in plural

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