evil 1 of 3

evil

2 of 3

adjective

1
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

evilness

3 of 3

noun (2)

Try This Instead

For
Try This
evil spirits
wicked spirits
demonic spirits
malicious spirits
dangerous spirits
negative spirits
evil people
cruel people
villainous people
diabolical people
vicious people
unethical people
evil deeds
dirty deeds
dark deeds
sinful deeds
terrible deeds
devious deeds
evil men
shady men
maleficent men
unholy men
evil thoughts
malevolent thoughts
harmful thoughts
deadly thoughts
nasty thoughts
hateful thoughts

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
Rather than the epic battles of good vs. evil that ground the Skywalker saga, Andor's focus is the human cost of rebellion and harsh realities of a prolonged uprising against an authoritarian regime. Megan McCluskey, Time, 22 Apr. 2025 Lucas loved the idealistic adventure reels of the ’30s and ’40s where good and evil were divided by a fresh coat of paint. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Over time, the date became associated with warding off evil spirits and celebrating the end of winter. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025 Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor is an evil mad scientist with plans for destruction and domination, armed with Kryptonite and a subterranean lair shared. Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for evil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evil
Adjective
  • These are among the many casualties of the Trump administration's decision to level a research agency that has devoted much of its energy over the past five decades to reducing people's exposure to harmful chemicals and other dangerous conditions in the workplace.
    Will Stone, NPR, 2 May 2025
  • Along the way, it is divulged that Saw has not been protecting himself with a gas mask from the harmful rhydonium fumes.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Altering Medicaid in any way that decreases services, decreases funding to the states, or builds roadblocks to care is immoral and against Christian values.
    Dr. James W. Cox-Chapman, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2025
  • Under him, juvenile justice is unjust, and the department has been spending in ways that are immoral and not proper accounting or spending of taxes.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • The series between the Warriors and the Rockets was slow, low scoring, and ugly—which is exactly how the younger, less experienced Rockets wanted it.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
  • This wasn’t the first time Green was subjected to ugly behavior from opposing fans.
    Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Maddison is responsible for dropping deep and pinging passes into dangerous areas, while Kulusevski and Bergvall are excellent ball-carriers.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 May 2025
  • With all the drama unfolding at the Harrigan's, you could be forgiven for losing track of Harry's dangerous rescue mission.
    EW.com, EW.com, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • Two waste companies denied unlawful dumping, with one saying state law allows compostable material to be disposed on farmland and other properties for beneficial use.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
  • Doyle was charged with unlawful imprisonment in the second degree and assault in the third degree.
    Chris Young Ritzen, CBS News, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Police call fake GoFundMe page 'disgusting' Concord Police Capt. Brian Goldman said police are investigating.
    Norman Miller, USA Today, 7 May 2025
  • But where was the anger from Erik Spoelstra in his post-game news conference about this disgusting performance?
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • However, losing him for OTAs, minicamp, training camp, and more could be detrimental to establishing his chemistry with the offense.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
  • Pradeep Kumar Saxena, India’s former Indus Water Commissioner, told the Press Trust of India news agency in April that the country can stop sharing data with Pakistan after the pact’s suspension, which could be detrimental during monsoon season.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • The sinful acts on display here are a direct result of that disenfranchisement, an effort to reclaim what is still owed, forty acres and a mule, with interest.
    Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Pope Gregory, believing these demons to be an indication of Magdalene’s excessively sinful past, identified her as an unnamed woman in Luke who wipes Jesus’ feet with her hair.
    Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evil. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on evil

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!