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evil

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adjective

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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

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evil spirits
wicked spirits
demonic spirits
malicious spirits
dangerous spirits
negative spirits
evil people
cruel people
villainous people
diabolical people
vicious people
unethical people
evil deeds
dirty deeds
dark deeds
sinful deeds
terrible deeds
devious deeds
evil men
shady men
maleficent men
unholy men
evil thoughts
malevolent thoughts
harmful thoughts
deadly thoughts
nasty thoughts
hateful 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
Noun
Still, the logistical parallels — in a world beset by evil, peace exists to be shattered — holds well enough. Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025 Who would share the burden of the anxiety of knowing what kind of evil is out there? Gabra Zackman Emma Kehlbeck Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The filmmaker behind the 1988 fantasy film, in which Kilmer starred opposite Warwick Davis in a story of a farmer who embarks on a dangerous adventure while protecting a special newborn from evil forces, shared a remembrance on X of Kilmer's talents as an actor across multiple iconic projects. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2025 Top Gun is streaming on Paramount+ and Prime Video, while Top Gun: Maverick is streaming on Paramount+. ‘Willow’ (1988) Val Kilmer stars as the mercenary Madmartigan opposite his then-real-life wife, Joanne Whalley as Sorsha, the daughter of the evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh) in Willow. Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 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
  • The debate over the law centers on balancing accountability for harmful content with the risks of censorship and stifled innovation.
    Daryl Lim, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Shiny and minty, these balms provide a gloss-like effect while protecting your lips from the sun’s harmful rays.
    Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Regardless of what transpired between the two cast members, on or off screen, Aspen was unfairly portrayed as an immoral character.
    Taylor Crumpton, Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
  • We are limited to enforcing the law, not policing immoral behavior.
    David Chiu, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Everyone knew it, especially when some San Francisco Giants batters took ugly hacks against it in the first inning.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Win that one, too, of course, and the No. 1-seed Cleveland Cavaliers and the best record in the NBA Eastern Conference would await to very likely only elongate the end for this Heat season and end it ugly. Do not expect a play-in to the Finals miracle run like Miami pulled off two years ago.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The multicultural argument of Messrs. Delano and Myers is based on the historical wrongs done to minority populations, but America’s complicated history must not determine the future of our cities.
    Nikos Mohammadi, Hartford Courant, 6 Apr. 2025
  • That privilege can be revoked if Mahmoud Khalil perpetrated a crime or wrong.
    Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Prioritising one competition in favour of another is a dangerous game to play in any case when the stakes are so high.
    Mark Critchley, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The most immediate context for this comment is presumably both the backlash to Hogwarts Legacy and the ongoing backlash over Rowling’s views writ large regarding trans women being dangerous predators.
    Aja Romano, Vox, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The suit will argue that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which grants the president increased powers during an economic emergency, to impose tariffs is unlawful and requires congressional approval.
    Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The lawsuit will argue that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China is unlawful.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These were disgusting, irresponsible comments by someone who is charged with overseeing public health for hundreds of millions of people.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Do not tell the patient disgusting hospital stories about your own operations or procedures.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evil. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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