bad faith

USAGE SUMMARY

"bad faith" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe a situation in which one party deceives or behaves dishonestly toward another. For example, "The company's decision to go back on their promise was made in bad faith."

✓ Grammatically correct

Law

Ethics

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bad faith?

The Guardian

Their dependence breeds bad faith.

The New Yorker

Start with the bad faith.

The Economist

What is bad faith?

The Washington Post

"It's institutionalized bad faith," he said.

The New York Times

Israeli bad faith fills the pages.

The New York Times - Books

Yup, the bad faith is basically bottomless.

The Washington Post

But I did act in bad faith.

The Guardian - Music

The Garden called that term "bad faith".

The New York Times - Sports

Good Uma triumphs over bad faith.

The Guardian

But the Bad Faith Awards isn't it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When accusing someone of acting in "bad faith", ensure you have concrete evidence to support your claim, as it's a serious accusation with legal and ethical implications.

Common error

Avoid using "bad faith" simply to describe a disagreement or differing opinion. It specifically implies a deliberate intent to deceive or mislead, not just a difference in viewpoint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad faith" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a state of mind or a characteristic of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

18%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad faith" is a noun phrase denoting dishonesty or malicious intent. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, primarily within news, academic, and formal business settings. To ensure accurate usage, remember that "bad faith" signifies deliberate deception, not mere disagreement. Alternatives include "mala fides", "dishonesty", and "deceit". When deploying this phrase, substantiate your claims with solid evidence to avoid misrepresentation. Remember also that you can't use it as synonym of 'disagreement' and you have to reserve the correct word, considering that it is implying a deliberate intent to deceive or mislead someone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mala fides

Latin term for bad faith; emphasizes legal or formal contexts.

deceit

Focuses on the act of misleading or misrepresenting the truth.

dishonesty

Highlights the lack of honesty and integrity.

insincerity

Emphasizes the lack of genuine feeling or belief.

fraud

Implies intentional deception for financial or personal gain.

duplicity

Highlights contradictory behavior, hiding true intentions.

treachery

Focuses on betrayal of trust or confidence.

perfidy

Formal term for violation of faith or trust; often in legal contexts.

breach of trust

Emphasizes the violation of an established trust relationship.

unethical conduct

Broader term referring to actions that violate moral principles.

FAQs

How can I use "bad faith" in a sentence?

You can use "bad faith" to describe actions done with malicious intent. For example, "The lawsuit alleged that the company acted in bad faith by concealing crucial information".

What's the difference between "bad faith" and "negligence"?

"Bad faith" implies a deliberate intention to deceive or harm, while negligence suggests a failure to exercise reasonable care. "Bad faith" is intentional, while negligence is often unintentional.

What are some synonyms for "bad faith"?

Alternatives include "mala fides", "dishonesty", "deceit", and "insincerity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is the term "bad faith" typically used?

The term "bad faith" is commonly used in legal, business, and philosophical contexts to describe actions taken with the intent to deceive, mislead, or exploit another party.