bad 1 of 3

1
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard a bad first attempt at making meat loaf resulted in a soggy, inedible mess

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2
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable stealing is just plain bad

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as in sad
feeling unhappiness hearing about the world's miseries always makes him feel bad

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as in null
having no legal or binding force all known claims on the property were dismissed by the court as bad

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bad

2 of 3

adverb

bad

3 of 3

noun

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bad
Adjective
Some will opt for less generous plans that have higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, which can discourage seeking care and lead to worse health. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025 Now there's a lot of bad evidence that came out with respect to violence and drug use. Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Adverb
After an online Twitter feud where CZ accused SBF of allegedly bad-mouthing him to regulators, the Binance CEO announced on Sunday the company would be dumping all of its holdings of FTT, a token used by FTX customers. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2022 However, employees can’t be completely reckless on social media, making untrue or maliciously disparaging statements, or bad-mouthing their employer with broad-stroke commentary. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2022
Noun
Despite the obvious bad, there was undeniable good. Mellissa Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2023 Good drama is the choice between two bads. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for bad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bad
Adjective
  • This is an unacceptable physical and emotional power dynamic, even in a fantasy.
    USA Today, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Anything less than the protection of creators and their rights is unacceptable.
    Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The evil White Vision regains all of his previous memories and flies off by himself.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Then the evil grin loses its enthusiasm, gradually working its way to a toothless pucker.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Back in August, OpenAI published an update to ChatGPT with stronger controls on the bot’s responses to certain conversational topics amid mounting concern that some users are building harmful emotional attachments to chatbots.
    Jack Guy, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
  • This proposal, Pudelski believes, could be the most harmful for schools and educators.
    Sequoia Carrillo, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The naughty list People walk past the Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on November 29, 2024 in New York City.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Clementine’s is also known for its naughty (boozy) and nice (booze-free) flavors.
    Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • How’s this for a sad old country tune?
    Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The results were a shock to the family, but one that was tinged with a sad realization.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • People with too few or defective Treg cells often develop autoimmune diseases, where unchecked immune cells mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues or organs.
    Mitzi Nagarkatti, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Consumers can return defective products to the retailer of purchase for a full refund.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Lit candles, images on paper and a plaster statue of the folk saint Gauchito Gil, flowers in green plastic bottles, simple bouquets of jasmine floating in rotten water inside coffee cans, a lot of plastic flowers to keep the place colorful.
    Mariana Enriquez October 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The Karen Read case exposed just how rotten the Bay State justice system can be.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Playing a French player at Roland Garros is usually one of the more unpleasant tasks in tennis, given how rowdy the crowd can get when rooting for one of their own on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • But for all of those unpleasant aspects, the series’ ultimate concentration is on the Marines as a worthy organization devoted to helping mostly young men learn discipline, honor and the proper mechanics for a pull-up.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bad. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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