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
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
evil people
evil thoughts
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
Kc Baker, People.com, 2 July 2025
At White Castle, Zelma is sharing her hypotheses about which ancient source of evil may be powering Parker’s cloak.
—Stacia Brown, Vulture, 2 July 2025
Tommy McArdle, People.com, 8 July 2025
Unfortunately, the region was infested with pirates and evil spirits.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for evil
Noun
Based on hundreds of interviews, the book goes in-depth into the lives of the promising young victims and what happened inside that house when an assailant crept in and left the mark of evil behind.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 2 July 2025
At White Castle, Zelma is sharing her hypotheses about which ancient source of evil may be powering Parker’s cloak.
—Stacia Brown, Vulture, 2 July 2025
Adjective
The series, which released three movies between 2016 and 2022, followed Newt's run-ins with the evil wizard Grindelwald and Albus Dumbledore's (Jude Law) efforts to confront the villain across the world in the 1920s and 1930s.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 8 July 2025
Unfortunately, the region was infested with pirates and evil spirits.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 5 July 2025
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
-
Antisocial Anger Some teenagers express their anger through harmful behaviors such as threatening others, vandalism, skipping school or using drugs.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Independent testing confirms that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the label and is free from harmful contaminants.—
Kirstyn Hill,
Health,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Basically, how others will judge you for moving on, if you’ll be seen as incompetent or immoral for quitting.—
Vicki Salemi,
Boston Herald,
20 July 2025
-
With his opaque history and sources of wealth, his super-powerful friends and his immoral appetites, Epstein became the perfect avatar for our at-home Hollywood heroism.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
In 1965 Martin got into an ugly battle with President Lyndon B. Johnson.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
These are the kind of ugly games that sometimes get played when GMs and coaches grow apart and pressure builds on their job securities and livelihoods.—
Pat Leonard,
Hartford Courant,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Saturday, the team righted some of those wrongs, even with a sloppy second-half performance.—
Emma Moon,
Charlotte Observer,
13 July 2025
-
Over the following weeks her show swells into a Greek chorus of one man’s wrongs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
More dangerous heat waves The Great Lakes region warmed substantially faster in the six years since the last assessment than it did in decades prior, the report shows.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
-
Here's what each means, according to the NWS: Heat advisory: A heat advisory is the lowest level and is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach the criteria for a more serious alert.—
Chad Murphy,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
First, opponents argued that the rule was unlawful and that Congress would need to amend the statute to implement the changes proposed by DHS in its rule.—
Stuart Anderson,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
He was arrested at 12:22 a.m. Friday for misdemeanor unlawful speeding and driving under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
There is no way around it: Toilet brushes are disgusting.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 July 2025
-
Nearly 200 pounds of disgusting mats and fur was removed, which equates to an average of 1.5 pounds per dog.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evil. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share