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
These results were satisfactory for integrated graphics—better than some of its counterparts on some tests, and worse on others—and not quite as powerful as Apple’s M4. Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025 Actors like Andrew Garfield, Chloë Sevigny and Brian Cox have spoken out against their peers who use Method to excuse their own bad behavior. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 5 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
  • Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Other Republicans — especially in the House — see it as an unacceptable expansion of President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, which Republicans have tried to eliminate or cut back since it was enacted 15 years ago.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Tim Curry's marvelous Frank was a monster of self-regard, and Tim knew exactly how to give this evil genius his head and Mick served it up on a photographic plate.
    Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Major biotech companies that churn out made-to-order DNA for scientists have protections in place to keep dangerous biological material out of the hands of would-be evil-doers.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Hendryx also said the move would lead to more environmental destruction, more local air and water pollution from mining sites, more pollution from power plants, more harmful contributions to climate change emissions, and other negative impacts.
    John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The lack of structure could have harmful consequences for kids in the long run.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Clementine’s is also known for its naughty (boozy) and nice (booze-free) flavors.
    Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
  • He's since been taught that's the naughty finger.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One purveyor of fairy tales that wasn’t afraid of a sad ending?
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Sade Bess, a Combs fan from Brooklyn, left the court’s overflow observation room looking both sad and relieved.
    Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Inspectors also found missing and defective smoke detectors and a non-functional fire alarm panel, Rushin said.
    JC Reindl, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Despite the large number of vehicles recalled, the report stated that just 1% of the items are estimated to actually be defective.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 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
  • But the ever-reliable consumer is beginning to look shaky, courtesy of an unpleasant mix of a stagnating job market and sticky inflation.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The power is accompanied by a loud, unpleasant exhaust note.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bad. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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