Synonyms of evil

evil 1 of 2

noun

as in bad

that which is morally unacceptable

our free will allows us to choose between good and evil

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bad
• wrong
• evilness
• badness
• sin
• sinfulness
• villainy
• immorality
• ill
• evildoing
• iniquity
• darkness
• wickedness
• vileness
• satanism
• diabolism
• corruption
• heinousness
• atrocity
• devilishness
• devilry
• enormity
• canker
• decay
• fiendishness
• rot
• cancer
• perversion
• squalor
• depravity
• abomination
• degeneracy
• depravedness
• scurrility
• iniquitousness
• balefulness
• atrociousness
• indecency
• debauchery
• malefaction
• taboo
• anathema
• pervertedness
• scurrilousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• right
• morality
• virtue
• good
• goodness
• integrity
• decency
• honesty
• rectitude
• righteousness
• uprightness
• probity
• virtuousness

evil

2 of 2

adjective

ˈē-vəl 

1

as in harmful

causing or capable of causing harm

drank an evil potion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• harmful
• dangerous
• detrimental
• damaging
• adverse
• bad
• wicked
• poisonous
• pernicious
• hazardous
• infectious
• injurious
• baneful
• mischievous
• deleterious
• noxious
• hurtful
• prejudicial
• ill
• baleful
• destructive
• hostile
• deadly
• nocuous
• sinister
• venomous
• unsafe
• insidious
• infective
• lethal
• ominous
• unfriendly
• threatening
• menacing
• inimical
• risky
• contagious
• malignant
• pestilential
• perilous
• fatal
• killer
• unwholesome
• pestiferous
• pestilent
• unhealthy
• unhealthful
• ruinous
• unsound
• nasty
• noisome
• parlous
• imperiling
• jeopardizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• benign
• innocent
• harmless
• safe
• beneficial
• innocuous
• good
• useful
• advantageous
• inoffensive
• favorable
• healthy
• wholesome
• propitious
• healthful
• helpful
• curative
• anodyne
• salutary
• sound
• remedial
• hurtless
• palliative
• salubrious
• secure
• benignant
• nonpoisonous
• nontoxic
• nondestructive
• noninfectious
• nonfatal
• nonlethal
• noncorrosive
• nonpolluting
• nonvenomous

2

as in immoral

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable

their evil deeds rank among the worst in history

Synonyms & Similar Words

• immoral
• unlawful
• sinful
• wicked
• vicious
• vile
• bad
• dark
• villainous
• rotten
• wrong
• nefarious
• corrupt
• cruel
• obscene
• ugly
• unrighteous
• iniquitous
• infamous
• unethical
• illegal
• offensive
• unauthorized
• cursed
• unsavory
• improper
• dirty
• nasty
• condemned
• infernal
• contemptible
• naughty
• prohibited
• despicable
• forbidden
• depraved
• ill
• ignoble
• disreputable
• sordid
• perverted
• pernicious
• sick
• ungodly
• dishonest
• mean
• atrocious
• objectionable
• reprehensible
• unwholesome
• evil-minded
• unhealthy
• fallen
• blameworthy
• degenerate
• noxious
• pestilential
• snide
• incorrect
• base
• debased
• unclean
• dissolute
• debauched
• blamable
• unscrupulous
• miserable
• censurable
• scrofulous
• libertine
• loose
• wretched
• outlawed
• unprincipled
• reprobate
• discouraged
• proscribed
• indecent
• barred
• low-minded
• unseemly
• execrable
• vulgar
• low
• dishonorable
• lousy
• erring
• errant
• disallowed
• unbecoming
• cussed
• defiling
• banned
• indecorous
• interdicted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moral
• good
• righteous
• virtuous
• ethical
• right
• honorable
• noble
• legitimate
• legal
• sublime
• high
• honest
• decent
• upright
• just
• permissible
• permitted
• lofty
• scrupulous
• reputable
• principled
• elevated
• authorized
• licensed
• correct
• endorsed
• proper
• approved
• sanctioned
• allowed
• clean
• high-minded
• promoted
• white
• pure
• decent
• supported
• innocent
• exemplary
• perfect
• blameless
• law-abiding
• encouraged
• guiltless
• wholesome
• seemly
• commendable
• creditable
• worthy
• decorous
• incorruptible
• immaculate
• unobjectionable
• chaste
• uncorrupted
• abetted
• spotless
• unerring
• irreproachable
• inoffensive
• venerable
• respected
• esteemed
• unfallen
• squeaky-clean
• lily-white
• upstanding

3

as in ugly

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

she refused to eat olives or anything which had their evil flavor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ugly
• disgusting
• horrible
• awful
• sickening
• hideous
• obnoxious
• shocking
• dreadful
• obscene
• offensive
• nasty
• unpleasant
• abominable
• loathsome
• odious
• repulsive
• abhorrent
• terrible
• horrid
• revolting
• gross
• repugnant
• appalling
• gruesome
• noxious
• horrific
• scandalous
• foul
• repellent
• horrendous
• vile
• undesirable
• distasteful
• noisome
• nauseating
• nauseous
• disturbing
• rancid
• hateful
• unwanted
• fulsome
• monstrous
• detestable
• disagreeable
• objectionable
• despicable
• miserable
• horrifying
• unwholesome
• grim
• unspeakable
• heinous
• contemptible
• unhealthy
• sick
• ungodly
• unholy
• frightful
• unsavory
• ghastly
• nightmarish
• brackish
• atrocious
• macabre
• grisly
• barbarous
• uncivilized
• dislikable
• unwelcome
• sickly
• execrable
• lousy
• exceptionable
• hard
• upsetting
• lurid
• unchristian
• sickish
• distressing
• off-putting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocuous
• acceptable
• desirable
• sweet
• attractive
• heavenly
• delicious
• pleasant
• delightful
• alluring
• inoffensive
• agreeable
• appealing
• congenial
• nice
• satisfying
• likable
• enjoyable
• dreamy
• pleasurable
• welcome
• pleasing
• blessed
• delectable
• luscious
• savory
• darling
• gratifying
• felicitous
• palatable
• inviting
• dulcet
• healthy
• unobjectionable
• wholesome
• healthful
• unexceptionable
• salutary
• restorative
• delightsome
• salubrious

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of evil

Noun

Trapped between the encroaching criminal forces and a supernatural evil no one else will confront, Younger must fight to save his mother and survive the estate long enough to escape it. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Another man talks about visiting Poland as a child, learning about the Holocaust, and coming to understand that the Nazis were pure evil. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Perhaps no cartoon duo has perfected the push-pull dynamic quite like evil baby Stewie and his family’s peculiarly sophisticated dog, Brian (both voiced by Seth MacFarlane). — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026

When her evil stepmother forbids her from trying out, Bea must enlist the help of her Fairy Dunkmother to chase her dreams. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026