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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
Ainsworth will play Link, the young hero who battles the forces of evil from the dark sorcerer Ganon to rescue Princess Zelda and protect the magical kingdom of Hyrule. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 16 July 2025 Present day Sporting a fiery new ’do, Logan’s flame is back from the dead, and evil. EW.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
In the film, the actor played Victor von Doom, who later becomes the evil scientist and sorcerer Doctor Doom due to the same cosmic radiation that transformed the Fantastic Four. Brendan Le, People.com, 24 July 2025 Hogan, who died Thursday, would become the hero in endless good vs. evil storylines, including a few nationalistic ones. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 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
  • That might help researchers discover which technology helps what kinds of people best and which makes no impact or is harmful to brain health.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Pavi, like the many disabled characters in the Avatar universe that came before her, can serve as a reminder that inclusivity isn’t harmful to good storytelling but is a key part of it.
    Braedon Montgomery, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • Basically, how others will judge you for moving on, if you’ll be seen as incompetent or immoral for quitting.
    Vicki Salemi, Boston Herald, 20 July 2025
  • With his opaque history and sources of wealth, his super-powerful friends and his immoral appetites, Epstein became the perfect avatar for our at-home Hollywood heroism.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • These are the kind of ugly games that sometimes get played when GMs and coaches grow apart and pressure builds on their job securities and livelihoods.
    Pat Leonard, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2025
  • In 1996, Cantor died, and Lutnick, after an ugly succession battle with Cantor’s widow, Iris, took control.
    Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • That’s apropos, given that the song’s protagonist was flipping all the wrongs in his life to right.
    Tom Roland, Billboard, 24 July 2025
  • However, that wrong has now been righted, with Dragonite's new form featuring wings on its head and a pearl on its tail like its pre-evolution, Dragonair.
    Ryan Woodrow, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Here's what each means, according to the NWS: Heat advisory: A heat advisory is the lowest level and is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach the criteria for a more serious alert.
    Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 24 July 2025
  • More dangerous heat waves The Great Lakes region warmed substantially faster in the six years since the last assessment than it did in decades prior, the report shows.
    Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • First, opponents argued that the rule was unlawful and that Congress would need to amend the statute to implement the changes proposed by DHS in its rule.
    Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • He was arrested at 12:22 a.m. Friday for misdemeanor unlawful speeding and driving under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • That being cold is cool and being hot with a side of humidity is rather disgusting.
    Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025
  • Nearly 200 pounds of disgusting mats and fur was removed, which equates to an average of 1.5 pounds per dog.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Evil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evil. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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