as in bad
that which is morally unacceptable
our free will allows us to choose between good and evil
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
drank an evil potion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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3
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of evil
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 Mar. 2026
Chamberlain’s attempts to negotiate with evil did not prevent war.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2026
NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Because of the differences they are labeled as evil, incompetent, corrupt or some other trumped up charge such as antisemitic.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for evil
Noun
During the Iran-Iraq War, the US actively supported Iraq as the lesser of two evils, fearing Iranian victory and hegemony in the Gulf.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 Mar. 2026
Chamberlain’s attempts to negotiate with evil did not prevent war.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Celebrate today, please, my Democratic colleagues, that the most evil man on the planet is no more.
—NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Because of the differences they are labeled as evil, incompetent, corrupt or some other trumped up charge such as antisemitic.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for evil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evil
Noun
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While working together on The Unit, David Mamet once told you that good drama isn’t a choice between good and bad; good drama is the choice between two bads.—
Max Gao,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan. 2025
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Reports out of fall camp haven’t been super favorable to their offense, and while the defense will, again, be top-notch, a team with this bad of an offense cannot be trusted.—
Austin Mock,
The Athletic,
19 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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When asked about Trump’s immigration policies — which have been controversial and are viewed by some Venezuelan residents as harmful to their community — Rodriguez first expressed support.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
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As these processes unfold, the nuclear pore is also blocking things that don’t belong, such as harmful enzymes or misfolded RNAs.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.—
Justin Callais,
Twin Cities,
5 Mar. 2026
-
More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.—
Justin Callais,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Anaheim Ducks’ captain took out the left leg of Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews with a knee-on-knee hit during the second period Thursday night, one of the uglier hits of the 2025-26 season.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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But as the film quietly signals, a society’s obscenities are not aberrations, only parts of an ugly chapter in a long history.—
Michael Snyder,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Officials have a duty to right the wrongs of the past, not repeat them.—
Gustavo Rivera,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
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This year, Maryland has a chance to right this wrong and end the process of automatically charging children as adults for certain offenses.—
Erika Strauss Chavarria,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That $67 ticket informed me that the airline was selling seats to fill planes and slashing staff and services to dangerous levels.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
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But the industry’s modern threats, while not wholly unprecedented, are dangerous in ways that are genuinely alarming.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Burglary/Breaking & Entering – The unlawful entry into a building or some other structure to commit a felony or a theft.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2026
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Gabriela Vela said she's come to Miami Beach for spring break for the past three years, even back when the city had strict crackdowns on unlawful behavior.—
Steve Maugeri,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Critics at its first press screening called the film disgusting, accusing it of exploiting both its oblivious subjects and the beloved former first lady.—
Rosemary Counter,
Vanity Fair,
25 Feb. 2026
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Just last week the president tweeted a vile and disgusting image of President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and refuses to apologize.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evil. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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