as in bad
that which is morally unacceptable
our free will allows us to choose between good and evil
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
drank an evil potion
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of evil
Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Nick, first buy a dictionary and then take a few courses in logic and the evils of bigotry.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
This is fun sci-fi TV, doing twisty multiverse, evil-doppelgänger stuff really well.
—New Atlas, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for evil
Noun
Voters in primary elections may nominate extremists to run in the general election, leaving independents no choice but to vote for the lesser of two evils or to abstain from voting for either.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Nick, first buy a dictionary and then take a few courses in logic and the evils of bigotry.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
After his death, she’s forced to be a maid by her evil stepmother, Lady Araminta Gun.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
This is fun sci-fi TV, doing twisty multiverse, evil-doppelgänger stuff really well.
—New Atlas, 28 Jan. 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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While skepticism toward artificial intelligence is understandable, dismissing AI as inherently harmful overlooks both history and reality.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
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Regulators will examine whether Grok is living up to its obligations under the Digital Services Act, the bloc’s wide-ranging rulebook for keeping internet users safe from harmful content and products.—
Kelvin Chan,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In addition to being immoral, CFA’s support for BDS likely violates state law, AB 2844, which prohibits California from contracting with entities that engage in discrimination, including against Jews or Israelis.—
Mark Pinkert,
Oc Register,
23 Dec. 2025
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The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
29 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Featuring the good, the bad and the ugly, ‘Look of the Week’ is a regular series dedicated to unpacking the most talked about outfit of the last seven days.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
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There are also two stepsisters, neither ugly but one quite bratty.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Now, the good news is that a substantial majority of American citizens object to this wrong and oppose it, and that majority seems to be growing.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
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Some end in voluntary agreements from schools, with plans to rectify past wrongs and prevent future ones.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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More than a billion phones are now ineligible for security updates at a time when the threat landscape has never been more dangerous.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The church opened its warming center over the weekend, anticipating the arrival of the winter storm and the dangerous drop in temperatures.—
Leondra Head,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The unlawful taking of items from a machine or device that is operated or activated by the use of coins.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Jan. 2026
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Mississippi officials have argued that the state law is not preempted, while the RNC has urged the high court to strike down the Magnolia State’s law, along with similar ones in other states, as unlawful.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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At one point a couple of years ago, Microsoft even used malware-like pop-ups in a disgusting overreach.—
Tom Warren,
The Verge,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evil. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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