as in wrongs
that which is morally unacceptable
our free will allows us to choose between good and evil
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Recent Examples of evils
Some labor leaders were privately rooting for Paramount as the least of two evils, concerned about the impact that Netflix, historically not a friend to movie theaters, would have on the theatrical ecosystem.
—
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
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
The horror film serves as a gory allegory for the evils that persisted in the South in the Jim Crow era in the late 19th century and onward.
—Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Is there a lesser of two evils?
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
The colonists were subject to arbitrary taxation, warrantless searches, standing armies in their homes, and other evils at the hands of the crown.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
As usual, the list of evils leads off with a medical procedure that is never directly condemned in the Bible — and is arguably even sanctioned in Jewish texts when a pregnancy threatens a woman’s health.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
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
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
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
The horror film serves as a gory allegory for the evils that persisted in the South in the Jim Crow era in the late 19th century and onward.
—Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Is there a lesser of two evils?
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
The colonists were subject to arbitrary taxation, warrantless searches, standing armies in their homes, and other evils at the hands of the crown.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
As usual, the list of evils leads off with a medical procedure that is never directly condemned in the Bible — and is arguably even sanctioned in Jewish texts when a pregnancy threatens a woman’s health.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evils
Noun
-
Officials have a duty to right the wrongs of the past, not repeat them.—
Gustavo Rivera,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
In 2020, a demand to redress historic wrongs grew following the murder of George Floyd and the national Black Lives Matter movement.—
Ara Rosenthal,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
McNair spoke, unsuccessfully, before an Alabama Legislature that wanted to limit how schools teach events, such as the bombing that killed her sister, lest White children feel guilt for the sins of their forebears.—
John Archibald,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The Bible teaches that lying, stealing, adultery and coveting your neighbor’s property are sins.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And Pearl, while making his team’s case Thursday, unwittingly did a fine job of spelling out the ills of expansion as well.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Hollywood has always been an easy political punching bag–a convenient scapegoat for a host of intractable ills.—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Evils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evils. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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