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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
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
  • Make sure to not add dyes or sweeteners, which can be harmful to hummingbirds.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
  • 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
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
  • The first outcome would be a massive win for the United States, while the second would likely be far uglier.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 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
  • 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
  • The speeds can vary from moment to moment and can quickly increase to become dangerous to anyone entering the surf.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2025
  • As the medical profession came to consider cocaine and morphine as equally dangerous, coca became associated with opium, and the public was led to believe that the ruinous effects of habitual opium use would inevitably befall those who regularly chewed coca leaves.
    Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 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
  • In January, a federal appeals court declared DACA unlawful, but kept the policy in place.
    Nidia Cavazos, CBS News, 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 14 Apr. 2025.

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