1
as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
a couple of live wires who got into all kinds of wickedness during their vacation in Las Vegas
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sinfulness
the state or quality of being utterly evil
the movie featured a villain of unadulterated wickedness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of wickedness
Given that Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) has given the town of Oz the illusion that Glinda is the force of good magic protecting them from Elphaba's wickedness, the bubble — which is operated by foot pedal — allows Glinda to appear magical.
—
Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025
The crucial role of the broomstick in the Wicked movies—and earlier Wizard of Oz stories—reflects a long history of women’s mobility being connected to perceptions of wickedness, as women reclaimed a tool of domestic labor to gain both physical and social liberation.
—Time, 21 Nov. 2025
Unlike horror movies built on shadowy boogeymen bouncing out of the dark, The Witch's tone stays quiet, swarming around themes of bewitchery, black magic, and wickedness without overdoing it.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Seedy wickedness on the corner Despite periodic police raids, this seedy wickedness flourishes.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for wickedness
Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025
The crucial role of the broomstick in the Wicked movies—and earlier Wizard of Oz stories—reflects a long history of women’s mobility being connected to perceptions of wickedness, as women reclaimed a tool of domestic labor to gain both physical and social liberation.
—Time, 21 Nov. 2025
Unlike horror movies built on shadowy boogeymen bouncing out of the dark, The Witch's tone stays quiet, swarming around themes of bewitchery, black magic, and wickedness without overdoing it.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Seedy wickedness on the corner Despite periodic police raids, this seedy wickedness flourishes.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for wickedness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wickedness
Noun
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Astronomers have dubbed the ancient galaxy Loki, after the Norse god of mischief.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
23 May 2026
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Mom was hit with a felony charge of criminal mischief and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
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This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That playfulness extended to the other guests, too.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
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There’s a playfulness, there’s a twinkle in the eye, there’s a sort of tongue in the cheek to that sort of tradition.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Noun
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On one side, a satanic figure named Randall Flagg who gathers his forces of badness to Las Vegas; on the other, the good guys, led by 108-year-old Mother Abigail in, of all places, Boulder.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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The show premiered over Thanksgiving weekend, when people were tired and full and bored (and probably also horny), and countered our world’s unceasing badness with its world’s buoyant sweetness.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
5 Feb. 2025
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But even if truffles are beyond your pay grade, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had in the sheer devilment portrayed in this informative and appetizing book.—
Eugenia Bone,
WSJ,
10 July 2019
Noun
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The deadliest so far was the mass slaughter at a Hanukkah party on Sydney’s Bondi Beach in December, but perhaps only luck and good police work have prevented an even worse atrocity on American soil.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
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The religious atrocities were truly horrific and astounding.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
Noun
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That was really what helped me into the character and into her evilness.—
William Earl,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wickedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wickedness. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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