bad
Usage
What are other ways to say bad?
When describing things that are lacking in moral qualities or are actually vicious and reprehensible, bad is the broadest and simplest term: a bad man; bad habits. Evil applies to that which violates or leads to the violation of moral law: evil practices. Ill now appears mainly in certain fixed expressions, with a milder implication than that in evil: ill will; ill-natured. Wicked implies willful and determined doing of what is very wrong: a wicked plan.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cipriani claimed Shell turned to him for protection against potential bad publicity.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
Considering how bad it was in the moment, I am very grateful it happened because it made me grow a lot and taught me a lot about myself.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
That’s not necessarily bad for the memory companies, however.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026
Movies, like people, have a historical context, and Rocky’s was Watergate, Vietnam, a bad economy, high inflation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
I had associated with a boy—that was bad enough.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Vocabulary lists containing bad
