51Թ

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View synonyms for

evil

[ee-vuhl]

adjective

  1. morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked.

    evil deeds;

    an evil life.

    Synonyms: , , , , , , ,
    Antonyms:
  2. harmful; detrimental.

    evil laws.

    Synonyms: ,
  3. characterized or accompanied by misfortune or suffering; unfortunate; disastrous.

    to be fallen on evil days.

  4. due to actual or imputed bad conduct or character.

    an evil reputation.

  5. marked by anger, irritability, irascibility, etc..

    He is known for his evil disposition.



noun

  1. that which is evil; evil quality, intention, or conduct.

    to choose the lesser of two evils.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,
  2. the force in nature that governs and gives rise to wickedness and sin.

  3. the wicked or immoral part of someone or something.

    The evil in his nature has destroyed the good.

  4. harm; mischief; misfortune.

    to wish one evil.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,
  5. anything causing injury or harm.

    Tobacco is considered by some to be an evil.

  6. a harmful aspect, effect, or consequence.

    the evils of alcohol.

  7. a disease, as king's evil.

adverb

  1. in an evil manner; badly; ill.

    It went evil with him.

evil

/ ˈːə /

adjective

  1. morally wrong or bad; wicked

    an evil ruler

  2. causing harm or injury; harmful

    an evil plan

  3. marked or accompanied by misfortune; unlucky

    an evil fate

  4. (of temper, disposition, etc) characterized by anger or spite

  5. not in high esteem; infamous

    an evil reputation

  6. offensive or unpleasant

    an evil smell

  7. slanggood; excellent

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the quality or an instance of being morally wrong; wickedness

    the evils of war

  2. (sometimes capital) a force or power that brings about wickedness or harm

    evil is strong in the world

  3. archaican illness or disease, esp scrofula (the king's evil )

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. (now usually in combination) in an evil manner; badly

    evil-smelling

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • evilly adverb
  • evilness noun
  • nonevil adjective
  • nonevilly adverb
  • nonevilness noun
  • quasi-evil adjective
  • quasi-evilly adverb
  • unevil adjective
  • unevilly adverb
  • ˈ𱹾 adverb
  • ˈ𱹾Ա noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of evil1

First recorded before 900; Middle English evel, evil, Old English yfel; cognate with Gothic ubils, Old High German ubil, German ü, Old Frisian, Middle Dutch evel
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of evil1

Old English yfel, of Germanic origin; compare Old Frisian evel, Old High German ubil evil, Old Irish adbal excessive
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. the evil one, the devil; Satan.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"It's not harsh, it's evil. You don't separate families," he said.

From

He told "the proud people of Iran" that his attack was "clearing the path for you to achieve your freedom" from what he called their "evil and oppressive regime".

From

“Avenatti has done many noble and good things in his life, some reflected in this case, but he’s also done great evil for which he must answer,” Selna said.

From

As the violence in Los Angeles shows, petty rage can lead to all manner of evils.

From

“It’s to keep away the evil spirits,” she said.

From

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When To Use

What are other ways to sayevil?



A person or thing that is evil is morally wrong. How does evil differ from bad, wicked, and ill? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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