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
Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
In addition to the requisite charismatic leader, MAGA also shares other key characteristics with cults, like black-and-white thinking, and viewing politics as a fight of good versus evil.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
Ken Burns, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Death is seen as a transition, with crying, singing, and movement by mourners helping drive away evil spirits.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for evil
Noun
After the Lord sent a great flood to rid the world of evil, people gathered in Babylonia and began baking bricks—a recent advancement.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
In addition to the requisite charismatic leader, MAGA also shares other key characteristics with cults, like black-and-white thinking, and viewing politics as a fight of good versus evil.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
Adjective
Vote and be educated about the issues; don’t just assume that the person on the other side is evil.
—Ken Burns, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Death is seen as a transition, with crying, singing, and movement by mourners helping drive away evil spirits.
—ABC News, 18 May 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
-
Avoiding peak sunlight hours, and wearing hats, clothing, and sticking to the shade are safe and effective ways to reduce your risk of harmful sun exposure, Fisher says.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
25 May 2026
-
Gallup recently found that the percentage of Americans who drink alcohol has fallen to 54%, the lowest level in nearly 90 years, while a majority now believe even moderate drinking is harmful to health.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Players take on the role of one of four Vault Hunters searching for mythical vaults while trying to take on the planet’s immoral dictator.—
Sheena Vasani,
The Verge,
23 May 2026
-
The government has suspended the platform several times, citing concerns that the app promotes immoral or unlawful content.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Lemieux was 37, and had a reputation as one of those players who knew where to be, and when, around the ugly areas on the ice in a playoff game.—
Mac Engel
May 29,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
-
We, viewers and voters, are subjected to very ugly photographs and rhetoric.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Which just goes to show three wrongs don’t make a right.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
But standing for people who know the difference between right and wrong is a reflection of maturity, not immaturity.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
Understanding these unexpected auroras could improve forecasts of dangerous space weather, which can disrupt satellites, GPS systems, communications and even power grids during extreme solar storms.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
26 May 2026
-
Still, since the man had fled, these officials emphasized the necessity of executing her, even as the whole episode whispered even to them of the dangerous vulnerabilities of their colonial situation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
Multiple lawsuits from advocacy groups, Capitol police officers and others call the program unlawful and corrupt, as Congress presses acting Atty.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Kelly's mother, Barbara Renner, is charged with manslaughter, and her daughter, Elyssa Seymore, is charged with unlawful imprisonment.—
Mahsa Saeidi,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Both are also, objectively speaking, disgusting.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
-
What could be more cunning and disgusting than training dogs to commit anal rape?—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evil. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
