1
as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
a couple of live wires who got into all kinds of wickedness during their vacation in Las Vegas
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sinfulness
the state or quality of being utterly evil
the movie featured a villain of unadulterated wickedness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wickedness
There is killing and hatred and strife on every level and spiritual wickedness in high places.
—
Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
Are people born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
Good is not assured victory over evil in Shakespeare, though wickedness sets in motion those forces that will hasten the end of its ride.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
The Year of the Dragon, which began on Feb. 10, 2024, ended Tuesday to begin the Year of the Snake.
Snakes in Chinese mythology aren't manifestations of wickedness or evil as in Western cultures.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wickedness
Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
Are people born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
Good is not assured victory over evil in Shakespeare, though wickedness sets in motion those forces that will hasten the end of its ride.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
The Year of the Dragon, which began on Feb. 10, 2024, ended Tuesday to begin the Year of the Snake.
Snakes in Chinese mythology aren't manifestations of wickedness or evil as in Western cultures.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wickedness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wickedness
Noun
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The individuals face charges including felony criminal mischief, resisting arrest, and additional offenses.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
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If he’s arrested, the vandal could be facing a charge of criminal mischief as a hate crime.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
5 Feb. 2025
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But even if truffles are beyond your pay grade, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had in the sheer devilment portrayed in this informative and appetizing book.—
Eugenia Bone,
WSJ,
10 July 2019
Noun
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Throughout, the novel chips away at its foundational questions: Does there exist a punishment equal to the atrocity of killing one’s child?—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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The story of the atrocity is still being unearthed 140 years later.—
Stephen Miller,
Bluesky Social,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wickedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wickedness. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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