evil
Usage
What are other ways to say evil?
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. Bad is the broadest and simplest term: a bad man; bad habits.
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.
The villainy isn’t coordinated, but more like a feedback loop of evil.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
The woman told the jury the men were "evil" and had "ruined" her life.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
It also was a place with "no sword, no drone, no vengeance, no trivialisation of evil, no unjust profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness."
From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026
No doubt older generations understood the evil of the Nazis, but young people don’t lack access to historical facts.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
The freezing water in the harbor seemed to boil like an evil witch’s brew.
From "I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964" by Lauren Tarshis
Vocabulary lists containing evil
Bush's Address on 9/11
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"Frankenstein" and "How Frankenstein Began"
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"The Flying Machine" by Ray Bradbury
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