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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wickedness
There is killing and hatred and strife on every level and spiritual wickedness in high places.
—
Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
Are people born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
Good is not assured victory over evil in Shakespeare, though wickedness sets in motion those forces that will hasten the end of its ride.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
The Year of the Dragon, which began on Feb. 10, 2024, ended Tuesday to begin the Year of the Snake.
Snakes in Chinese mythology aren't manifestations of wickedness or evil as in Western cultures.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wickedness
Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
Are people born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
Good is not assured victory over evil in Shakespeare, though wickedness sets in motion those forces that will hasten the end of its ride.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
The Year of the Dragon, which began on Feb. 10, 2024, ended Tuesday to begin the Year of the Snake.
Snakes in Chinese mythology aren't manifestations of wickedness or evil as in Western cultures.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wickedness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wickedness
Noun
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For all the mortal mischief a nuclear weapons facility could whip up, there is very little radiation risk associated with the job of enriching uranium-235 up to the level of 90% purity needed to produce a bomb.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
24 June 2025
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The suspects could face charges for criminal mischief and felony theft valued at $1 million or more, according to authorities.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
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 former mayor of a small rural village in Haiti, accused of torturing and killing opponents in his homeland, was sentenced Friday in a Massachusetts federal court to nine years in prison for lying about the atrocities in order to obtain a U.S. green card.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 June 2025
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Hamas’ atrocities on Oct. 7, and their Iranian patrons’ dash toward nuclear weapons, have only strengthened our determination to build a better future for Iran, Israel and the region.—
Shervin Pishevar,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wickedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wickedness. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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