badass

[bad-as] / ˈbædˌæs /

NOUN

(vulgar) distinctively tough person

Synonyms

STRONG

agitator rebel

WEAK

demagogue dissident fighter frondeur renegade sparkplug

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.

Just for a moment, I wanted to join the badass gang that made subversive movies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

"Not because I'm lying about anything, but because I'm a badass," she added.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

The point being that I should not expect to be a badass street officer on Day 1.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

It turns out Benedict Arnold was a certified badass for America.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025

He’s useless at everything, but secretly he’s a badass superhero.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah