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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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

As a result, critics say, Washington sees Cabello as a necessary evil. — Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 10 July 2026 Perhaps the Cavaliers saw Mitchell's extension as a necessary evil in their pursuit of James. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Adjective

Different neighborhoods prepare their floats with great care and dedication, with many people trusting the floats will drive away evil spirits. — ABC News, 19 July 2026 Wicked Wonderland follows 2024’s The Rise of Red, where Cantrall’s character and Cinderella’s daughter Chloe (Malia Baker) team up to go back in time and reverse the event that resulted in the Queen of Hearts’ evil path. — Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 15 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

Your liver is responsible for breaking down toxins and filtering them out of the body, essentially detoxifying you from harmful substances and chemicals.

— Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 22 July 2026
At our previous Yale CEO Caucus, over two-thirds of CEOs surveyed told us that Trump’s tariffs had been harmful to their own businesses, and 80% said that tariff costs had been passed on in part to consumers.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 22 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

It was delivered with sneers, an ugly, small-minded few minutes in support of the sclerotic, disdainful of dynamic change.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
And after an ugly Congress filled with multiple shutdowns, the House is taking an increasingly confrontational approach toward the Senate.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of ugly

Noun

On the floor, that's usually triaging downtime alerts or chasing quality-hold paperwork—high-frequency, forgiving if the agent gets one wrong.

— Sanjay Brahmawar, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Jobs will be won and lost over the next six weeks, as the Lions attempt to right the wrongs that led to a NFC North fourth-place finish in 2025.

— Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of wrong

Adjective

When atmospheric weather conditions in May drove dangerous pollution levels in Texas, environmental officials urged residents to limit driving and in particular to avoid drive-through lines.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
An unchecked ego further erodes psychological safety, as dismissing feedback signals that team contributions are unwelcome, creating dangerous blind spots.

— Dr. Samantha Madhosingh, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

Since the tournament began, police have declared unlawful assemblies twice, including late July 5, when a crowd began throwing bottles at officers.

— Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
Opponents counter that California already bars unlawful firearm manufacturing with 3-D printers, and that ghost gun recoveries have declined since the state adopted a series of new laws and enforcement efforts.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of unlawful

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evidently

evil

evildoer

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evil. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of evil

noun

adjective

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