Bad vs. Evil: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 20, 2023
Bad" refers to something incorrect or of poor quality, while "evil" denotes profound immorality and wickedness.
Key Differences
"Bad" and "evil" are both negative descriptors, but they operate on different levels of severity and moral judgment. "Bad" is a broad term, often used to describe something that is not as it should be, from a minor misbehavior to a poorly made product. It's an umbrella term for anything that doesn't meet expected standards, including actions, quality, or outcomes. "Evil," however, is more intense, used to describe actions or characteristics steeped in malice, intending serious harm.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
The implications of "bad" can be subjective, varying based on context. A movie might be bad because it's unenjoyable, or a decision is bad because it leads to unwanted outcomes. It denotes a negative assessment but doesn't necessarily imply malevolence. "Evil," conversely, always carries a weight of moral reprehensibility; it is associated with malicious intent, cruelty, and a conscious desire to harm others.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
In terms of moral philosophy, "bad" is less severe than "evil." A bad action may be unethical or wrong, yet not arise from a place of profound malevolence. It could be due to poor judgment, ignorance, or accident. "Evil" suggests a deeper, inherent wickedness driving actions, often threatening fundamental moral codes and human dignity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
"Bad" can also be neutral, relating to quality or condition rather than morality. Food can go bad, or the weather can be bad, with no ethical dimension. "Evil," however, is inherently moral and never neutral. It speaks of acts, characters, or events that embody the utmost negative moral degradation, often invoking strong emotional responses.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 20, 2023
Lastly, "bad" and "evil" can sometimes be used interchangeably in casual conversation, but their true meanings are distinct. Calling someone a bad person might refer to general disagreeableness or unethical behavior, but labeling someone evil implies they are diabolical, committing atrocities with malevolent delight.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Bad and Evil Definitions
Evil
Evil means profoundly immoral and wicked.
The dictator's actions were pure evil.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 20, 2023
Bad
Bad can describe unfavorable conditions or circumstances.
We have had bad weather all week.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Evil
Evil describes a corrupt presence or force.
There's an evil spirit haunting the house.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 20, 2023
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Evil
Evil implies a deep, inherent wickedness.
His evil intentions were masked by charm.
Harlon Moss
Oct 20, 2023
Evil
That which causes harm, misfortune, or destruction
A leader's power to do both good and evil.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Something that is a cause or source of suffering, injury, or destruction
The social evils of poverty and injustice.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Intending to harm; malevolent.
An evil plot to brainwash and even kill innocent people
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Morally corrupt.
If something is evil, it is never mandatory.
Do you think that companies that engage in animal testing are evil?
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Producing or threatening sorrow, distress, injury, or calamity; unpropitious; calamitous.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
(obsolete) Having harmful qualities; not good; worthless or deleterious.
An evil beast; an evil plant; an evil crop
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Undesirable; harmful; bad practice.
Global variables are evil; storing processing context in object member variables allows those objects to be reused in a much more flexible way.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Something that is below standard or expectations, as of ethics or decency
Weighing the good against the bad.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Moral badness; wickedness; malevolence; the forces or behaviors that are the opposite or enemy of good.
The evils of society include murder and theft.
Evil lacks spirituality, hence its need for mind control.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Something which impairs the happiness of a being or deprives a being of any good; something which causes suffering of any kind to sentient beings; harm; injury; mischief.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
(obsolete) A malady or disease; especially in combination, as in king's evil, colt evil.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Unfavorable; negative; not good.
Hiring you was very bad for this company.
The weather looks pretty bad right now.
He is in a bad mood.
You have very bad grades.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Not suitable or fitting.
Do you think it is a bad idea to confront him directly?
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Not appropriate, of manners etc.
It is bad manners to talk with your mouth full.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Unhealthy; liable to cause health problems.
Lard is bad for you. Smoking is bad for you, too. Grapes are bad for dogs but not for humans.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Having qualities tending to injury and mischief; having a nature or properties which tend to badness; mischievous; not good; worthless or deleterious; poor; as, an evil beast; and evil plant; an evil crop.
A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
(chiefly applied to a person's state of health) Sickly, unhealthy, unwell.
Joe's in a bad way; he can't even get out of bed.
I went to the hospital to see how my grandfather was doing. Unfortunately, he's in a bad state.
I've had a bad back since the accident.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Having or exhibiting bad moral qualities; morally corrupt; wicked; wrong; vicious; as, evil conduct, thoughts, heart, words, and the like.
Ah, what a sign it is of evil life,When death's approach is seen so terrible.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Not behaving; behaving badly; misbehaving; mischievous or disobedient.
Stop being bad, or you will get a spanking!
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Producing or threatening sorrow, distress, injury, or calamity; unpropitious; calamitous; as, evil tidings; evil arrows; evil days.
Because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel.
The owl shrieked at thy birth - an evil sign.
Evil news rides post, while good news baits.
It almost led him to believe in the evil eye.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Tricky; stressful; unpleasant.
Divorce is usually a bad experience for everybody involved.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Anything which impairs the happiness of a being or deprives a being of any good; anything which causes suffering of any kind to sentient beings; injury; mischief; harm; - opposed to good.
Evils which our own misdeeds have wrought.
The evil that men do lives after them.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Moral badness, or the deviation of a moral being from the principles of virtue imposed by conscience, or by the will of the Supreme Being, or by the principles of a lawful human authority; disposition to do wrong; moral offence; wickedness; depravity.
The heart of the sons of men is full of evil.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Malady or disease; especially in the phrase king's evil, the scrofula.
He [Edward the Confessor] was the first that touched for the evil.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
In an evil manner; not well; ill; badly; unhappily; injuriously; unkindly.
It went evil with his house.
The Egyptians evil entreated us, and affected us.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
False; counterfeit; illegitimate.
They were caught trying to pass bad coinage.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
That which causes harm or destruction or misfortune;
The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Unskilled; of limited ability; not good.
I'm pretty bad at speaking French.
He's a bad gardener; everything he tries to grow ends up dying.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
The quality of being morally wrong in principle or practice;
Attempts to explain the origin of evil in the world
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Of poor physical appearance.
I look really bad whenever I get less than seven hours of sleep.
I don't look bad in this dress, do I?
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
(slang) Good, superlative, excellent, cool.
Man, that new car you bought is bad!
You is bad, man!
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Having or exerting a malignant influence;
Malevolent stars
A malefic force
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Evil refers to something that causes harm deliberately.
The evil plot involved betraying his own comrades.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Bad
Very attractive; hot, sexy.
Hopefully I can pull some bad bitches tonight.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Evil
Evil is used for acts or behaviors that are vile and cruel.
The criminal committed an evil deed.
Harlon Moss
Oct 20, 2023
Bad
An item (or kind of item) of merchandise with negative value; an unwanted good. Bad (economics)
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Wanting good qualities, whether physical or moral; injurious, hurtful, inconvenient, offensive, painful, unfavorable, or defective, either physically or morally; evil; vicious; wicked; - the opposite of good; as, a bad man; bad conduct; bad habits; bad soil; bad air; bad health; a bad crop; bad news.
The strong antipathy of good to bad.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
That which is below standard or expectations as of ethics or decency;
Take the bad with the good
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Having undesirable or negative qualities;
A bad report card
His sloppy appearance made a bad impression
A bad little boy
Clothes in bad shape
A bad cut
Bad luck
The news was very bad
The reviews were bad
The pay is bad
It was a bad light for reading
The movie was a bad choice
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Very intense;
A bad headache
In a big rage
Had a big (or bad) shock
A bad earthquake
A bad storm
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Feeling physical discomfort or pain (`tough' is occasionally used colloquially for `bad');
My throat feels bad
She felt bad all over
He was feeling tough after a restless night
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
(of foodstuffs) not in an edible or usable condition;
Bad meat
A refrigerator full of spoilt food
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Not financially safe or secure;
A bad investment
High risk investments
Anything that promises to pay too much can't help being risky
Speculative business enterprises
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Physically unsound or diseased;
Has a bad back
A bad heart
Bad teeth
An unsound limb
Unsound teeth
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Keenly sorry or regretful;
Felt bad about letting the team down
Was sorry that she had treated him so badly
Felt bad about breaking the vase
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
With great intensity (`bad' is a nonstandard variant for `badly');
The injury hurt badly
The buildings were badly shaken
It hurts bad
We need water bad
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Very much; strongly;
I wanted it badly enough to work hard for it
The cables had sagged badly
They were badly in need of help
He wants a bicycle so bad he can taste it
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
Bad
Bad refers to something that causes harm or undesirable consequences.
Ignoring safety protocols is bad.
Harlon Moss
Oct 20, 2023
Bad
Bad denotes something unattractive or not pleasing.
The decor in the room was in bad taste.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
FAQs
Is "bad" always related to morality?
No, "bad" can refer to quality, circumstances, or moral wrongs.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Can something bad be morally neutral?
Yes, like bad weather or a bad connection.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Does "evil" imply intent?
Typically, yes, "evil" involves deliberate malevolence or harm.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Is "evil" subjective?
It's more absolute, often agreed upon as profoundly immoral.
Janet White
Oct 20, 2023
Can "bad" describe a mistake?
Yes, it can refer to incorrect actions or decisions.
Sara Rehman
Oct 20, 2023
Is "bad" a milder term than "evil"?
Generally, yes, it's less intense and moralistic.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Is ignorance an excuse for "bad" behavior?
Sometimes, but it depends on the context and consequences.
Sara Rehman
Oct 20, 2023
Are people born "evil"?
"Evil" is a complex interplay of factors, not typically inherent from birth.
Janet White
Oct 20, 2023
Does "evil" require premeditation?
Often, it involves intentional, malevolent planning.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Can "evil" exist without action?
It's typically associated with harmful actions or intentions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Is "evil" always conscious and deliberate?
It usually involves awareness and intent to cause harm.
Sara Rehman
Oct 20, 2023
Can "bad" refer to taste or preference?
Yes, it's often used subjectively in those contexts.
Harlon Moss
Oct 20, 2023
Can an object be "evil"?
Objects aren't evil, but they can be used for evil purposes.
Janet White
Oct 20, 2023
Does "bad" always harm others?
No, it can be self-contained, like a bad habit.
Sara Rehman
Oct 20, 2023
Can "bad" evolve into "evil"?
If negative behavior escalates and becomes malevolent, yes.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Is there redemption for "evil"?
It's debated, but some believe people can change with effort and remorse.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Are "bad" and "evil" interchangeable?
Casually, sometimes, but they have different intensities and implications.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Can a decision be "bad" but not "evil"?
Yes, if it's wrong or harmful but lacks malevolent intent.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Can "bad" change based on culture?
Yes, cultural norms influence what's considered "bad."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
