Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for bad. Search instead for bads.
Definitions

bad

[bad] / bæd /










ADJECTIVE
(informal) impressively tough or skillful
Synonyms
Antonyms


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.

See Examples For:

On a spring afternoon in Wangaratta, nobody seemed to have a bad word to say about the former nurse and midwife turned politician.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

According to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll that was released Wednesday, 2 out of every 3 Americans oppose the construction of new U.S. data centers, while 57% said AI is a bad thing for society,

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026

He made lots of news, much of it bad.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

You can’t feel too bad for Eminem, who’s had plenty of opportunities to see that who you rap with is who you are.

From Salon ● Oct. 21, 2026

Always before when pain from the gallstones had got too bad, she’d had an operation.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

You cost us way more for the same results, or worse.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026

The images of France's riots posted and broadcast around the world have cast a pall on the country's important tourism sector, with many fearing worse consequences if violence returns.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026

Smaller defense companies have fared worse recently, presenting a possible buying opportunity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

This has left them living in fear of being sent back, where many face being jailed, or worse.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

Or, worse, what if he was bored with our friendship now and wanted out?

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

In comment fields online, some branded it the "worst Games in history" and urged a "full investigation".

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

Among worst performers on Japan’s benchmark index, Fujikura falls 3.4%, SoftBank Group 9984 -5.43%decrease; red down pointing triangle drops 3.3%, and Resona Holdings 8308 -3.32%decrease; red down pointing triangle sheds 2.7%.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

Plummeting by nearly a third, the Elice debut is the worst ever in Korean stock-market history, according to Bloomberg.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 20, 2026

He says he is proof that even when you've made your worst mistake you can rebuild your life.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

He’d done a lot of bad things, but this, this was the worst.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman


Vocabulary lists containing bad

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training