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
Don’t tell Jason Zweig, but nobody’s going to feel bad about dipping into a college fund to be there.
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
Lee recounts a rigmarole of joys and traumas—a trip to the circus, a bad breakup, a house fire—which all fail to leave much of an impression.
From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026
"You men are being punished for your bad behavior," Don Quixote told the convicts, "but since I know you don't want to go where you're being taken, I'll ask this guard to set you free."
From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios
Vocabulary lists containing bad
