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

Despite this, some pundits have theorized that Netflix’s aversion to theaters has hurt its films’ chances because the industry sees the company as a force for evil in the cinematic space. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026

The acts in this case represent pure evil, and those responsible will be held fully accountable under the law. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Of course, White didn't have to declare her former player an evil villain. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Atherton played bad guy Walter Peck in Ghostbusters (1984) before taking on another evil role as Professor Jerry Hathaway in Real Genius. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026