bad news

noun

plural in form but singular in construction
: one that is troublesome, unwelcome, or dangerous
stay away from him, he's bad news

Examples of bad news in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Cleveland Browns are struggling mightily against the New England Patriots and got more bad news midway through the third quarter. Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025 Also, Mizzou isn’t out yet, though QB Beau Pribula’s ankle injury is bad news. Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 Still, just this week there was some bad news for other players in the spirits industry, both big and small. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025 There’s no spinning that a player of note and an acting NBA head coach landing federal indictments in a betting probe is bad news. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025 Down ⬇ Laura Dern, Jay Kelly This is less bad news for Laura Dern than different news. Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025 Just really bad news with a slow-moving Melissa. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025 The Chiefs’ next opponent was dealt some bad news Wednesday. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025 There was good news and bad news Thursday regarding the injury Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis sustained in Wednesday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bad news was in 1917

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Cite this Entry

“Bad news.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bad%20news. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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