as in bad
that which is morally unacceptable
our free will allows us to choose between good and evil
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
drank an evil potion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
their evil deeds rank among the worst in history
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ugly
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
she refused to eat olives or anything which had their evil flavor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of evil
Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Still, the state is often seen as the lesser of two evils when compared to a neighbor like Florida.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
Valerie Morkevicius, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
The structure follows an A to M biopic trajectory, tuning out just when Michael broke free from the evil clutches of his abusive, belt-wielding manager and dad Joseph – portrayed by Colman Domingo, going full tilt as a villain.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for evil
Noun
As cut off from the outside world as these people are, this isn't the end of such evil.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Still, the state is often seen as the lesser of two evils when compared to a neighbor like Florida.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Augustine saw love of violence, cruelty or power as evil intents.
—Valerie Morkevicius, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
The structure follows an A to M biopic trajectory, tuning out just when Michael broke free from the evil clutches of his abusive, belt-wielding manager and dad Joseph – portrayed by Colman Domingo, going full tilt as a villain.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for evil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evil
Noun
-
While working together on The Unit, David Mamet once told you that good drama isn’t a choice between good and bad; good drama is the choice between two bads.—
Max Gao,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Reports out of fall camp haven’t been super favorable to their offense, and while the defense will, again, be top-notch, a team with this bad of an offense cannot be trusted.—
Austin Mock,
The Athletic,
19 Aug. 2024
Adjective
-
But research has shown that several metabolic and heart diseases impair the immune system’s ability to moderate inflammation—causing harmful levels of inflammation in response to high cholesterol, fat or glucose.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Today, 87% of agricultural subsidies are environmentally or socially harmful.—
Carlos Alvarado Quesada,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Pope Francis changed the church’s social teaching to declare capital punishment immoral in all cases.—
Nicole Winfield,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
For him, in becoming photosynthetic, civilized beings would only gain in hallmarks of intelligence, like autonomy and compassion, given that a species living off starlight converts energy to work without the messy, immoral mediation of a food chain.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As their mutual competitiveness grows shockingly ugly, Niall learns to turn Ruben’s Samsonian strength and fury against him, knocking down the pillars of Ruben’s own life.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Rudy Gobert followed his inspired Game 2 effort against Nikola Jokic by stifling the three-time MVP again on an ugly 7-for-26 shooting night, and the Timberwolves established a postseason franchise record by allowing the Nuggets just 11 points in the tone-setting first quarter.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
LivaNova’s suggestion that the bacteria could have come from the water at The University of Kansas Hospital, Johnson said, was flat-out wrong.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
-
And getting that wrong has consequences that last far longer than any Halloween egg fight.—
Louis Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The procedures noted that in some cases, outing students to parents could be dangerous to their health and well-being, and school officials should ask the students for consent to notify their parents of the support plan.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The world is more dangerous for leaders, across multiple dimensions.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Van Dyke, who is stationed at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, North Carolina, was charged Thursday with the unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.—
Gary D. Robertson,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
He has been charged in New York federal court with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The water is disgusting-looking.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
These words then take on guilt by association because of the things we have been socialized to find unpleasant, uncomfortable, or disgusting.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evil. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
