evil
noun
1
a
: the fact of suffering, misfortune, and wrongdoing
the evil that befell them
believed the world was full of evil
b
: a cosmic evil force
2
: something that brings sorrow, distress, or calamity
—often used in the plural
the evils of alcohol
forced to choose between the lesser of two evils[=between two things that are both bad]
considers paying taxes a necessary evil[=something unwanted that is needed for a good result]
Examples of evil in a Sentence
the battle of good versus evil
our free will allows us to choose between good and evil
Recent Examples on the Web
Because of good people who stood up to evil, my family was able to come to America and build a life in South Florida.
—
Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 28 May 2026
And prepare for a chant about good and evil that defines the village people’s identity.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
The act also is seen as a symbol of rejecting evil and a commemoration of the Prophet Ibrahim’s rejection of temptation when the devil tried to dissuade him from submitting to God’s will.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
Linklater’s Richard Warren had to be menacing enough in 1702 to inspire his congregation to bury him alive in order to contain his evil, and to send Sarah fleeing the island in the night with his children, unaware that taking them off the island will turn them to dust.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for evil
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Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 28 May 2026
And prepare for a chant about good and evil that defines the village people’s identity.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
The act also is seen as a symbol of rejecting evil and a commemoration of the Prophet Ibrahim’s rejection of temptation when the devil tried to dissuade him from submitting to God’s will.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
Linklater’s Richard Warren had to be menacing enough in 1702 to inspire his congregation to bury him alive in order to contain his evil, and to send Sarah fleeing the island in the night with his children, unaware that taking them off the island will turn them to dust.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for evil
Cite this Entry
“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evil. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
evil
2 of 2 noun1
: something that brings sorrow, trouble, or destruction
2
: the fact of suffering or wrongdoing
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