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.
The bad news is the losses inflicted on foreign investors could spill over to bond and currency markets.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
Retail shareholders sometimes get a bad rap on Wall Street for being perceived as “weak hands,” as some might call them.
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
Cipriani claimed Shell turned to him for protection against potential bad publicity.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
"My dad would always say to me: 'John can't have a bad game, he's always involved'," Allan recalls.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
For I, too, had a hiding place when things were bad.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Vocabulary lists containing bad
