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.
"We have to remember how bad that felt," the head coach says.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
In March, Nestlé showed that it’s adroit enough to bounce back from some bad luck.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
Not in a bad way, but in a very normal human way, and he shares them throughout the book.
From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026
She’s aware she’s being betrayed by the bad faith of her family; she’s cognizant of being vulnerable to an inappropriate affection for the one person who trusts her.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
I know the impression I’m leaving: that the word was a bad word, sordid in nature, that I’m too embarrassed to say it out loud to him.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Vocabulary lists containing bad
