bad
Below the standard
Though less frequent than its usual opposite good, bad has a wide range of meanings that grow out of its core function of characterizing something or someone as lacking good or desirable qualities.
The large number of adjectives that may be considered as synonyms of bad in various contexts are all words with a negative connotation.
To the consternation of many, bad developed a slang meaning in the late 20th century that is its opposite; in some limited contexts, bad means good.
Lacking sufficient resources
- shoddyOf poor craftsmanship
- inferiorOf lower rank
- substandardBelow required quality
- mediocreOf only moderate quality
low-grade · cheap · crummy · lousy · second-rate · subpar · unsatisfactory · terrible
Apt to cause harm
- toxicCapable of causing harm
- damagingCausing loss or injury
- destructiveCausing severe harm
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
injurious · poisonous · noxious · detrimental · unhealthy · unsafe · risky · threatening
Decomposed or corrupt
- rancidDecomposed fat's quality
- staleNo longer fresh
- moldyCovered in fungal growth
- sourSharp, biting taste
off · expired · decayed · putrid · festering · curdled · tainted · turned
Evil or slang-excellent
- evilProfound moral wickedness
- corruptDishonest, open to bribes
- sinfulViolating moral law
- unethicalViolating moral standards
vile · nefarious · malevolent · dishonest · depraved · villainous · crooked · wrongful
Deeply unpleasant or spiteful
- disagreeableCausing mild displeasure
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- miserableWretchedly unhappy, dejected
- unenjoyableNot giving satisfaction
rough · tough · difficult · troublesome · distressing · upsetting · painful · agonizing
Prone to misfortune
- disastrousCausing great damage
- tragicCausing great sorrow
- catastrophicCausing complete destruction
- calamitousCausing great damage
dire · grim · bleak · ill-fated · regrettable · lamentable · woeful · grievous
Weighty and requiring attention
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
- graveSerious and worrying
- acuteIntensely severe or perceptive
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
intense · extreme · alarming · worrying · concerning · advanced · significant · painful
Damaged beyond function
- faultyHaving defects or errors
- malfunctioningOperating incorrectly or failing
- damagedMade worse by injury
- flawedHaving faults or imperfections
deficient · dysfunctional · inoperable · busted · kaput · glitchy · unreliable · unusable
Playfully causing trouble
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- unrulyDifficult to control
- ill-behavedShowing poor conduct
- troublesomeCausing difficulty or annoyance
rowdy · wayward · defiant · rebellious · bratty · impish · rascally · wild
poor
Lacking sufficient resources
- shoddyOf poor craftsmanship
- inferiorOf lower rank
- substandardBelow required quality
mediocre · low-grade · cheap · crummy · lousy · second-rate · subpar · unsatisfactory · terrible · awful
dangerous
Apt to cause harm
- toxicCapable of causing harm
- damagingCausing loss or injury
- destructiveCausing severe harm
hazardous · injurious · poisonous · noxious · detrimental · unhealthy · unsafe · risky · threatening · perilous
rotten
Decomposed or corrupt
sour · off · expired · decayed · putrid · festering · curdled · tainted · turned · decomposed
wicked
Evil or slang-excellent
unethical · vile · nefarious · malevolent · dishonest · depraved · villainous · crooked · wrongful · reprehensible
nasty
Deeply unpleasant or spiteful
- disagreeableCausing mild displeasure
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- miserableWretchedly unhappy, dejected
unenjoyable · rough · tough · difficult · troublesome · distressing · upsetting · painful · agonizing · excruciating
unlucky
Prone to misfortune
- disastrousCausing great damage
- tragicCausing great sorrow
- catastrophicCausing complete destruction
calamitous · dire · grim · bleak · ill-fated · regrettable · lamentable · woeful · grievous · devastating
serious
Weighty and requiring attention
critical · intense · extreme · alarming · worrying · concerning · advanced · significant · painful · inflamed
broken
Damaged beyond function
- faultyHaving defects or errors
- malfunctioningOperating incorrectly or failing
- damagedMade worse by injury
flawed · deficient · dysfunctional · inoperable · busted · kaput · glitchy · unreliable · unusable · out-of-order
mischievous
Playfully causing trouble
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- unrulyDifficult to control
- ill-behavedShowing poor conduct
troublesome · rowdy · wayward · defiant · rebellious · bratty · impish · rascally · wild · undisciplined
- adjectivesbig, urgent, amazing, temporary, bold
- qualitative judgmentsgood, better, worse, best, worst
- misbehaviormisbehave, misbehavior, mischief, misconduct, naughty
- normsnorm, norms, standard, social norms, rule
- spoiledrotten, rotted, rotting, spoiled, spoiling
- wickedevil, wicked, villainous, malicious, sinister