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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
It’s universally acknowledged that flyaways are an evil to avoid at all costs. Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025 The legend symbolizes the victory of good over evil, a theme central to Holi celebrations. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Not this evil man blaming Tracy for his infidelity! Emma Specter, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025 See the new evil empire try to build on last year’s boffo success. Chris Branch, New York Times, 27 Mar. 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
  • Our biochemical response to that type of stress is to release cortisol which eventually leads to the harmful downstream effects on our bodies, such as high blood pressure.
    Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Make sure to not add dyes or sweeteners, which can be harmful to hummingbirds.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Firms carrying out an immoral contract in court may face other discipline.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • This legislation made its way through Congress back then in part because there was societal acceptance of the false belief that the Chinese were immutably immoral and threatening.
    Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And at a moment where reality TV shows are proliferating, but often with an ugly underbelly, the cable brand is betting that its antidote will resonate with an audience on both linear TV and streaming.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
  • That pollution causes an ugly brown smog to blanket the skyline on hot summer days and causes people, especially those with respiratory problems, to struggle to breathe.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Mickey’s character is somebody who, at the beginning of the series, believes that she’s made all of the right choices in her life, and her sister has largely chosen wrong.
    Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The courts perpetuate a wrong and then fail to redress it Following her abandonment by the Barnetts in 2013, Natalia was taken in by Cynthia and Antwon Mans and their children.
    Aja Romano, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That means the garden isn't dangerous for Cummings' elderly father, who is allergic to bees.
    Martha Ann Overland, NPR, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Many of the surf zone fatalities occur when distant hurricanes send swells to shore that create dangerous conditions at the coast, such as strong surf and rip currents, the hurricane center stated.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Federal workers, migrants and transgender troops are among the groups arguing that Trump’s policies are unlawful and will cause irreversible harm if not blocked.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
  • After a national labor union and student loan borrower advocacy group filed a legal challenge against the Trump administration arguing that the shutdown was unlawful, the department reopened IDR applications for ICR, PAYE, and IBR.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Do not tell the patient disgusting hospital stories about your own operations or procedures.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Using that platform to engage in partisan attacks and accuse former Department leadership of weaponizing law enforcement is a disgusting betrayal of those values.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evil. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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