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

The story follows exiled prince Rama (Ranbir Kapoor) and his consort Sita (Sai Pallavi) through exile into catastrophe, as Sita’s abduction at the hands of Ravana (Yash) sets in motion an epic war between righteousness and evil. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026

Nicholas Galitzine stars as Prince Adam – and his buff alter ego He-Man – who returns to his homeland of Eternia to reunite with old friends and battle evil, over-the-top Skeletor (Jared Leto). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Adjective

Let’s think about society, let’s think at the bottom of society, some of the most evil people. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 29 July 2026

Figures tangle in a perpetual struggle between good and evil, but always with the reassurance that goodness will prevail. — The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 28 July 2026