Karl Taro GreenfeldThe New York Times
Synonyms
Adjective
- bastard
- bush
- bush-league
- crummy
- crumby
- deficient
- dissatisfactory
- ill
- inferior
- lame
- lousy
- off
- paltry
- poor
- punk
- sour
- suboptimal
- subpar
- substandard
- unacceptable
- unsatisfactory
- wack [slang]
- wanting
- wretched
- wrong
Noun
Adverb
Example Sentences
Brian Westover, PCMAG, 17 May 2023
He was born with a disability at a time when many children with his condition would have, at worst, been put in an institution and, at best, been allowed to live at home, probably not attending school and definitely not participating in sports.
—The Indianapolis Star, 17 May 2023
That’s not just bad for business, but for civil liberties too.
—David L. Bahnsen, National Review, 17 May 2023
Homesteading requires many upfront costs, which inflation has only made worse.
—Chris Moody, Anchorage Daily News, 16 May 2023
His performance isn’t bad, and neither is Maïwenn’s in the lead role.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2023
That kind of put a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 16 May 2023
As Big Oil looks worse during an era of visible environmental change, such lavishness at the top isn’t really a good look.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 15 May 2023
Stargazers of yore tended to perceive supernovae as bad omens, Penprase says, and in today’s climate of misinformation and science denialism, Betelgeuse’s demise could prompt some concerning responses.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 15 May 2023
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Mar. 2023
In the Avenge the Earth storyline, those big bads included Apocalypse, the first mutant, and, of course, Kang the Conqueror.
—Joe George, Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023
Then a new big bad entered the arena.
—Peter Rubin, Longreads, 15 Apr. 2022
So what was the rationale behind introducing our new big bad in the exact opposite way?
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2023
In addition to setting up the Multiverse Saga, the film also includes the introduction of Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), who serves as the new big bad for the MCU.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 17 Feb. 2023
The first to face this new big bad of the MCU’s Phases 5 and 6 will be the multigenerational Lang-Van Dyne-Pym clan, who can also collectively be called Ant-Mans and the Wasps.
—Tracy Brownstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2023
Jonathan Majors is playing Marvel's new big bad, Kang the Conqueror, in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and beyond.
—Brendan Morrow, The Week, 15 Feb. 2023
He was played by John Lithgow as the big bad of season four.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Feb. 2023
Vulture, 21 Feb. 2023
That’s one bad-looking snap through two games.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 21 Sep. 2022
Who wants frustrated and stressed-out workers bad-mouthing the company to their peers, right?
—Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2023
Ignoring one of them can lead you to bad-looking maps no one would prefer.
—J. Richard Gott, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2021
The researchers think that by expelling their bad-tasting innards when fish are nibbling nearby, sea squirts may drive the fish away.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2015
However, employees can’t be completely reckless on social media, making untrue or maliciously disparaging statements, or bad-mouthing their employer with broad-stroke commentary.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2022
After an online Twitter feud where CZ accused SBF of allegedly bad-mouthing him to regulators, the Binance CEO announced on Sunday the company would be dumping all of its holdings of FTT, a token used by FTX customers.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2022
Also, if exposed to too much heat, humidity, or other elements, the gummies can go bad faster than the expiration date.
—Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Sep. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bad.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Adjective
Middle English badde, bad, of obscure origin
Note: The Middle English word apparently appears as a surname or element in surnames in the 13th century, but as an independent adjective not before the 14th century. The supposed connection with the marginally attested Old English words bæddel, bædling (vowel length uncertain) "hermaphrodite, homosexual" is possible but uncertain (direct descent of badde from bæddel through phonetic reduction is unlikely).
Noun
Middle English badde, noun derivative of badde bad entry 1
Adverb
adverbial derivative of bad entry 1
Adjective
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c
Adverb
1575, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing bad
Dictionary Entries Near bad
Cite this Entry
“Bad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bad. Accessed 31 May. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
bad
1 of 3 adjectivebad
2 of 3 nounbad
3 of 3 adverb
Legal Definition
bad
adjective
More from Merriam-Webster on bad
Nglish: Translation of bad for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of bad for Arabic Speakers
-
Palter, Dissemble, and Other Words for Lying
Trust us
-
Skunk, Bayou, and Other Words with Native American Origins
You've used more than you might think
-
Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 2
When 'thingamajig' and 'thingamabob' just won't do
-
When Were Words First Used?
Look up any year to find out
-
Name That Tree!
A quiz that’s all bark, no bite.
Take the quiz
-
Name That Thing MegaQuiz: Vol. 5
Test your visual vocabulary!
Take the quiz
-
True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share