1
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
a bad first attempt at making meat loaf resulted in a soggy, inedible mess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
stealing is just plain bad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
sitting too close to the television is said to be bad for the eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in naughty
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
the children were bad, so they didn't get dessert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in sad
feeling unhappiness
hearing about the world's miseries always makes him feel bad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in defective
having a fault
a bad video connection that is causing some picture loss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in rotten
having undergone organic breakdown
I think the milk has turned bad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
the air in the damp basement had a very bad smell
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in terrible
of low quality
bad shoes that fell apart within a week
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in poorly
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body
I've been feeling bad all week with this cold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in null
having no legal or binding force
all known claims on the property were dismissed by the court as bad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in malicious
slang
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
with all of his tattoos and piercings, that skinhead looks like one really bad dude
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in badly
in an unsatisfactory way
you didn't do too bad on the treadmill test
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in wrong
that which is morally unacceptable
there's bad and good in people of every race and nationality
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
bad news
bad weather
bad luck
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 bad
Devlin Barrett, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Manchester City are unlikely to be this bad again next season.
—Carl Anka, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
J. Richard Gott, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2021
The researchers think that by expelling their bad-tasting innards when fish are nibbling nearby, sea squirts may drive the fish away.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2015
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Mar. 2023
In the Avenge the Earth storyline, those big bads included Apocalypse, the first mutant, and, of course, Kang the Conqueror.
—Joe George, Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for bad 
Adjective
Before being summoned for the tense meeting, lawyers in the section debated their bad options, but came to increasingly believe that someone should step forward to save the jobs of the others, people familiar with the discussions said.
—Devlin Barrett, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Manchester City are unlikely to be this bad again next season.
—Carl Anka, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
Adverb
Ignoring one of them can lead you to bad-looking maps no one would prefer.
—J. Richard Gott, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2021
The researchers think that by expelling their bad-tasting innards when fish are nibbling nearby, sea squirts may drive the fish away.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2015
Noun
Good drama is the choice between two bads.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Mar. 2023
In the Avenge the Earth storyline, those big bads included Apocalypse, the first mutant, and, of course, Kang the Conqueror.
—Joe George, Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for bad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bad
Adjective
-
Many of them will likely be seen in Kyiv as unacceptable.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Without any supporting facts alleging, political impropriety, unacceptable public safety threats, national security concerns, and the potential failure of not executing federal immigration initiatives and policies, all of which will have an impact on Adams’ ability to govern NYC.—
Arnold Kriss,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
After all, how many evil corporations have started because a guy got embarrassed about his wiener in the woods?—
Josh Wigler,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Other groups saw them as fires generated by evil sky spirits.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Additionally, bleach can be harmful to your skin and respiratory system if not used properly.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Researchers may have found that the tartaric acid in grapes and raisins is the substance which is harmful to dogs.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
So Robert here, sitting in broad daylight smack bang in downtown Portland with four fentanyl pills on open display beside him, is now being slightly legally naughtier than during decriminalization.—
Matt Thompson,
SPIN,
3 Feb. 2025
-
The effect, as customer Dave Harwood of Orlando noted on his way out the door, was not particularly naughty.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Especially sad is the case of Netta, one of Liat’s three children, who survived the attack.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The range of weapons and passive abilities that drop from major enemies just encourage different playstyles, rather than shoving you into a sad corner full of regrets.—
Josh Broadwell,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In a statement to Digital Trends, LG said the LED TVs, which weigh up to 101.2 pounds with stands, aren't defective on their own.—
Scharon Harding,
Ars Technica,
13 Jan. 2023
-
Jurors in Gwinnett County, northeast of Atlanta, returned the verdict in the years-long civil case involving what the plaintiffs’ lawyers called dangerously defective roofs on Ford pickup trucks, lawyer James Butler Jr. said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Aug. 2022
Adjective
-
Summary Flatulence that smells like rotten eggs is common and is caused by eating foods containing sulfur.—
Laura Dorwart,
Verywell Health,
15 Jan. 2025
-
There is something rotten about it, and its been that way for a large sample size now.—
Joshua Kloke,
The Athletic,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Investors were greeted with unpleasant inflation data on Tuesday.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2025
-
The steam emanating from the hot oats began to cook the egg whites, which gave the dish an unpleasant scrambled egg-like texture.—
Ashia Aubourg,
Outside Online,
6 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near bad
Cite this Entry
“Bad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bad. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share