eviler or eviller; evilest or evillest
1
2
a
archaic
: inferior
b
: causing discomfort or repulsion : offensive
an evil odor
c
: disagreeable
woke late and in an evil temper
3
a
: causing harm : pernicious
the evil institution of slavery
b
: marked by misfortune : unlucky
1
a
: the fact of suffering, misfortune, and wrongdoing
b
: a cosmic evil force
2
: something that brings sorrow, distress, or calamity
archaic
: in an evil manner
Synonyms
Examples of evil in a Sentence
Adjective
She drank an evil potion.
The city has fallen on evil days.
It was an evil omen.
Noun
the battle of good versus evil
our free will allows us to choose between good and evil
Recent Examples on the Web
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 19 Oct. 2024
After years of living in secret, Sonic accidentally causes a massive power outage with his out-of-control speed, drawing the attention of Dr. Robotnik (played to comedic perfection by Jim Carrey), an eccentric scientist who becomes intent on harnessing Sonic’s powers for his evil schemes.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024
Although he was never explicitly called the Joker, Gotham ends with Jeremiah possibly going on to become the Clown Prince of Crime, or perhaps passing the baton of evil to another.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for evil 
Adjective
In this universe, strange looking Muppets are ruled by the evil Skeksis.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 19 Oct. 2024
After years of living in secret, Sonic accidentally causes a massive power outage with his out-of-control speed, drawing the attention of Dr. Robotnik (played to comedic perfection by Jim Carrey), an eccentric scientist who becomes intent on harnessing Sonic’s powers for his evil schemes.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
Noun
Many of these national right-wing election activists position this election as a battle between good and evil, and the last chance to save America.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024
Although he was never explicitly called the Joker, Gotham ends with Jeremiah possibly going on to become the Clown Prince of Crime, or perhaps passing the baton of evil to another.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for evil
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'evil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near evil
Cite this Entry
“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evil. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
evil
2 of 2 noun1
: something that brings sorrow, trouble, or destruction
2
: the fact of suffering or wrongdoing
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