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.
Good news for the consumer doesn’t necessarily mean bad news for investors, though.
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
Kristina Xhiveli, a 30-year-old environmental engineer who marched in Tirana last week, said people are exhausted with concerns about bad infrastructure, healthcare, education and other issues.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
I distinctly recall recognizing that the film itself wanted me to feel bad — I didn’t like that.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
“The problem that Charles Foster Kane is having is not because of a bad marriage choice,” Morris said.
From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026
She felt something worse than bad after she’d scanned up and down the menu several times, feeling as if everybody behind her was impatient, even though nobody was yelling at her to move.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Vocabulary lists containing bad
