EVIL Synonyms: 396 Similar and Opposite Words

evil 1 of 2

noun

Definition of evil

as in bad

that which is morally unacceptable our free will allows us to choose between good and evil

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evil

2 of 2

adjective

ˈē-vəl

as in harmful

causing or capable of causing harm drank an evil potion

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in immoral

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable their evil deeds rank among the worst in history

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as in ugly

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment she refused to eat olives or anything which had their evil flavor

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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 evil

Noun

The Soviet experience, on top of the rise of fascism, reminded my generation rather forcibly that man was, indeed, imperfect, and that the corruptions of power could unleash great evil in the world. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 Directed by brothers Drew and Eric Dowdle, who capably remade REC (2007) as Quarantine (2008), The Poughkeepsie Tapes makes up for its occasional lapses in realism with its utterly disturbing portrayal of pure evil. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026

Adjective

Through Latin and early Christian usage, the word took on its modern sense of an evil supernatural spirit. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 When it was overturned, however, the United States rightly or wrongly became the evil empire to the rest of world soccer. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for evil

Recent Examples of Synonyms for evil

Noun

In addition to public goods, AI will also create public bads.

— James Broughel, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026
Naturally, the meeting is a flop because no one was prepared, and their spontaneous ideas are frankly fireable-offense bad (a baguette bag shaped like a baguette for Paris?

— Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025

Definition of bad

Adjective

The as-yet-untitled series will follow the story of multiple families and campaigners including Ellen Roome, who believes that the tragic death of her beloved 14-year-old son Julian ‘Jools’ Sweeney could have been linked to harmful social media.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 July 2026
And planting near any street could expose trees to harmful salt spray when roads are treated in the winter.

— Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

Some rabbinic readings attribute Lot’s hesitation to leave Sodom to his immoral greed and inordinate wealth.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
Court records show that 60-year-old Bradley Kyle Martin, of Dearborn Heights, is charged with using a computer or internet to communicate with another person to commit a crime and accosting children for immoral purposes.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 25 June 2026

Definition of immoral

Adjective

The deals defined one of the ugliest chapters of Russia’s transition to capitalism in the 1990s.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Leaders must be grounded in self-awareness and their influence, leaning into emotional intelligence and humility; recognizing that different styles shape how people show up amid many influences, good, bad and ugly.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of ugly

Adjective

Experts agree that allowing external services to access Apple’s and Google’s operating systems could be dangerous for security and user privacy.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Sources additionally say that officers have burnt out while working overtime month after month — all on top of functioning in an already tense and dangerous environment, likening the situation to a powder keg ready to blow.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 19 July 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

Federal authorities routinely target South Florida remittance companies that operate as conduits for unlawful money transfers, especially for drug traffickers, because many are suspected of evading bank-reporting requirements.

— Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Renner was charged with second-degree manslaughter and Seymore with unlawful imprisonment, among other charges.

— Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 10 July 2026

Definition of unlawful

Adjective

Deer-Proof Your Garden To keep your flowers from being gobbled up by deer—one of the most heartbreaking of all garden misfortunes—choose flowers that people find glorious and deer find disgusting.

— Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
Where critics see disgusting piles of stuff, hoarders see more.

— Shivali H. Patra, Mercury News, 8 July 2026

Definition of disgusting

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evidently

evil

evildoer

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Style

“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evil. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of evil

noun

adjective

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