badland

noun

bad·​land ˈbad-ˌland How to pronounce badland (audio)
Synonyms of badlandnext
: a region marked by intricate erosional sculpturing, scanty vegetation, and fantastically formed hills
—usually used in plural

Examples of badland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Spanning 45,000 acres, this remote expanse is packed with geological and historical treasures—fossils from the late Cretaceous, rugged badlands, hoodoo formations, and petrified wood, to name a few. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026 After landing, Marine One flew Trump to a panoramic gorge in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, in the North Dakota badlands, touching down on the Painted Canyon overlook. — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 3 July 2026 Among the badlands terrain, these horses can be viewed from the park's South Unit scenic drive. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 17 June 2026 The South Unit's badlands, deep-cut canyons, and sandy hoodoos allow modern explorers to see the allure of a wild North Dakota. — Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for badland

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of badland was in 1850

Rhymes for badland

See All Rhymes for badland

Browse Nearby Words

badjoo
badland
Badlands
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Cite this Entry

“Badland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/badland. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

badland

noun
bad·​land ˈbad-ˌland How to pronounce badland (audio)
: a region where natural forces have worn away the soft rocks into sharp and complicated shapes and where plant life is scarce
—usually used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on badland

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for badland

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about badland

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