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wicked

wicked

112 4.6
A person or action that is very bad and cruel
  • adjective
  • /ˈwɪkɪd/
: malvado
  • The sins of the wicked harm the community, but all benefit from the merits of the righteous.
  • evil and wicked
  • punish the wicked
  • wicked and depraved

Turn from your wicked, turn from your wicked ways, repent, be baptized.

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Examples

  • Now, there once was a wicked king, and his name was Herod.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Is that your wicked stepmother?

  • Can you be wicked and be successful?

  • If they really did something wicked when they were alive, maybe it's better to let them be.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • We know that Churchill had a wicked battle with depression.

  • Jerusalem Bible: How could I do anything so wicked and sin against God?

    Academic text (1991)
  • Do not fret when evil men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

  • Turn from your wicked, turn from your wicked ways, repent, be baptized.

  • My mother, Helen Bingler, was raised by a wicked stepmother.

  • He plotted his wicked plans in secret, determined to bring chaos to the town.

Synonyms

bad
vswicked
∞ 1.0

Morally wrong or harmful to other people

is a similar moral term but slightly stronger in tone
evil
vswicked
∞ 1.2

Being very bad and morally wrong, often causing harm to others

is the same general moral term without extra nuance
vile
vswicked
131 5.0

Very bad and morally wrong

is morally wrong without stressing disgust or nastiness
ugly
vswicked
113 4.9

Very bad or offensive in a moral way

is moral wrongness more generally, not just offensive events
heinous
vswicked
  • Formal
82 9.0

Extremely cruel and shocking

is morally wrong but not necessarily shockingly extreme
demonic
vswicked
70 8.1

Extremely evil and cruel, as if caused by the devil

means moral wrongness without implying supernatural origin
sinful
vswicked
59 3.6

Wrong according to religious or moral rules

is moral wrongness not tied to religious rules
sordid
vswicked
48 7.5

Dirty and morally wrong, often involving dishonest or cruel acts

is moral wrongness without stressing dirtiness or dishonesty
wretched
vswicked
  • Offensive
44 7.1

Very bad in a moral way and deserving strong blame

is morally wrong but not always deserving extreme contempt
depraved
vswicked
  • Formal
44 7.8

Very bad and cruel in the way someone behaves

covers moral wrongness without implying deep corruption
nefarious
vswicked
  • Formal
43 8.8

Very bad and illegal, done to harm people

is general moral badness, not only criminal activity
diabolical
vswicked
42 8.2

Very evil and cruel, like a devil

covers moral badness without the devilish or supernatural sense
criminal
vswicked
33 3.7

Very wrong and deserving strong blame

is moral wrongness that may not involve legal crime
unholy
vswicked
23 7.3

Morally wrong, especially when it breaks religious rules

is moral wrongness without the religious framing
vicious
vswicked
20 4.9

Morally wrong or deserving strong criticism

is wrong in principle but may be less blameworthy
ungodly
vswicked
18 7.2

Morally wrong because it goes against religious rules

is moral badness without focusing on religious sin
dastardly
vswicked
  • Archaic
18 8.4

A person who is very cruel and cowardly, often betraying others secretly

is moral badness without the cowardly or sneaky quality
devilish
vswicked
16 4.4

Being very naughty in a playful, clever way

is serious moral wrongness without playful mischief
villainous
vswicked
14 7.3

Very bad and cruel, often hurting other people

covers moral wrongness without the storybook villain quality
fiendish
vswicked
10 7.9

Being very cruel and evil and making others suffer

is morally wrong but not focused on cruelty level
unrighteous
vswicked
  • Formal
4 7.6

Acting in a way that is unfair or morally wrong

is moral wrongness without the legal or judgemental tone
evil-minded
vswicked
2 7.5

Wanting to hurt people or cause harm

focuses on morally wrong acts rather than inner intent
iniquitous
vswicked
  • Formal
2 9.8

Very unfair and wrong in a way that harms people

is moral wrongdoing without the strong unfairness emphasis
flagitious
vswicked
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A very wicked and criminal act that shocks people

means moral wrongness more generally, not always criminal
diabolic
vswicked
1 7.8

Very evil and cruel, like the devil

is moral wrongness without the devilish image

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Behaving in a kind and honest way

∞ 2.2

Not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing

23 4.3

Being morally good and doing what is right

Idioms

3 7.6

People say this when they have a lot of work and little rest

Compounds

A habit of saying harsh, hurtful things about other people

How Wicked

diabolical
42 8.2
evil
∞ 1.2
wicked
112 4.6
bad
167 4.9

Surface Forms

wicked positive
wickeder comparative
wickedest superlative

Etymology

Wicked comes from old English ideas of someone who is 'evil', like a witch in a story. That's why wicked still often means 'morally wrong' or 'evil'.