wick·ed·ness | \ ˈwi-kəd-nəs 
\
\Definition of wickedness
1 : the quality or state of being wicked
2 : something wicked
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Synonyms for wickedness
Synonyms
- devilishness,
- devilment,
- devilry
- (or deviltry),
- diablerie,
- espièglerie,
- hob,
- impishness,
- knavery,
- mischief,
- mischievousness,
- rascality,
- roguery,
- roguishness,
- shenanigan(s),
- waggery,
- waggishness
Examples of wickedness in a Sentence
a couple of live wires who got into all kinds of wickedness during their vacation in Las Vegas
the movie featured a villain of unadulterated wickedness
Recent Examples on the Web Evil cripples represent a form of karmic punishment for the character’s wickedness.
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Magda Romanska, The Conversation, "On screen and on stage, disability continues to be depicted in outdated, cliched ways," 2 Nov. 2020 That gorgeous, soulful voice is back, and—as ever—Hibbert sings songs of struggle, of righteousness amidst wickedness, that seem to be written for our time.
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Corey Seymour, Vogue, "Zooming in with Toots Hibbert—the Legend Who Literally Invented “Reggae”," 29 Aug. 2020 Next Time, James Baldwin evoked the biblical story of Noah and his ark, asserting that if America could not right its wickedness, it would be destroyed by fire.
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Ashley Howard, Smithsonian Magazine, "The Long, Painful History of Racial Unrest," 28 Aug. 2020 Carlyle could impressively rally social reformers against the wickedness perpetrated in the name of reform.
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John D. Hagen, National Review, "The Gospel of Jean-Jacques," 20 Aug. 2020 But although the book dramatizes the wickedness of white supremacy without losing its Black characters’ interiority, the adaptation bears down on the cartoonish villainy of its white antagonists.
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Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, "What Lovecraft Country Gets Wrong About Racial Horror," 14 Aug. 2020 Mr Bregman does not believe wickedness is innate, but, on the contrary, that people are naturally inclined to good and helpful behaviour.
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The Economist, "Hearts of gold Are humans innately good? Rutger Bregman thinks so," 6 June 2020 There's plenty of wit and wickedness in the zippy screenplay, with engaging work from the voice cast, notably former Saturday Night Live castmates Forte and Rudolph.
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David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Willoughbys': Film Review," 23 Apr. 2020 But wickedness brought on by panic can be swept away by other breezes.
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Lorrie Moore, The New Yorker, "The Nurse’s Office," 6 Apr. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wickedness.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for wickedness
The first known use of wickedness was in the 14th century
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