1
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
a wicked urge to steal just for the sake of stealing
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2
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
a wicked grin on his face when he said that
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3
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
rotting eggs create a truly wicked stench caused a rash with a wicked itch
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4
as in dangerous
causing or capable of causing harm
a wicked insult that deeply hurt his self-esteem for many years
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as in extremely
to a great degree
we were wicked excited when our team finally won the pennant after so many years
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wicked
Natasha Stoynoff, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
As the mystery unravels from multiple POVs, Alex’s kooky aunt Gladys (Amy Madigan) is revealed as the orchestrator of the tragedy — her fiery orange hair, nimble fingers, ghostly face and wicked crimson smile a memorable image that haunts the narrative.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
He was wracked by a wicked cough, no doubt caused by his constant smoking.
—Kim Gordon, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
Here’s what Vulture staff thought of the wicked flavors.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wicked
Adjective
Both are wicked smart brainiacs on a tireless quest to do good in the world.
—Natasha Stoynoff, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
As the mystery unravels from multiple POVs, Alex’s kooky aunt Gladys (Amy Madigan) is revealed as the orchestrator of the tragedy — her fiery orange hair, nimble fingers, ghostly face and wicked crimson smile a memorable image that haunts the narrative.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
He was wracked by a wicked cough, no doubt caused by his constant smoking.
—Kim Gordon, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
Here’s what Vulture staff thought of the wicked flavors.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wicked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wicked
Adjective
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Maybe evil is a spiritual substance in and of itself.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
21 Sep. 2025
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Kang drew inspiration from gut, traditional Korean folk dancers who performed rituals to protect communities from demons and evil spirits.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Pomegranate Margaritas Inspired by the Fourth of July cookout, these bright, fruity margaritas capture Belly’s playful and mischievous side.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Sep. 2025
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The finale opens with a sneaky cello solo answered by a mischievous violin line.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Just the prospect of interacting with that person can be unpleasant or feel draining.—
Josh Davis,
Fortune,
17 Sep. 2025
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One unpleasant but necessary aspect of board service is disciplinary action against unneighborly behavior by members.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Demonizing or attempting to eliminate those who think differently – literally or symbolically – has become a dangerous norm, which is all too evident in the wake of the Kirk shooting.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
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During volatile periods, this becomes especially dangerous because customer loyalty becomes more fragile and harder to rebuild.—
Talbott Roche,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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This shift would prove extremely successful in bolstering Turning Point’s reputation.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
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Smart cities are an enticing target for adversaries, ranging from cybercriminals to nation-state actors, since the consequences of a successful hack may be widespread and extremely disruptive to daily life.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In an important variation, medieval soldiers returning from war regularly spent an extended period of penance in monasteries – a recognition of Catholicism’s teaching that any war is inherently sinful.—
Timothy Gabrielli,
The Conversation,
25 Aug. 2025
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Don’t dream of leaving without ordering a gigantic slice of the coconut cake with cream cheese frosting—sinful and certainly comforting.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Mixing prints takes the trend to an even more playful approach, so have fun combining plaids with stripes and dots with florals.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Sep. 2025
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At the Collina Strada show, where founder and creative director Hillary Taymour often presents a playful but politically salient concept, models came out in twos.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These findings highlight an urgent need to shield stem cells from the harsh realities of space.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
20 Sep. 2025
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Rain is coming, penciled in for an hour or two from now, and a harsh British wind is flinging leaves off branches and cloaking the countryside with something that smells dungy and damp.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wicked. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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