less wicked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less wicked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not as morally wrong or evil as something else. Example: "While the actions of the villain were certainly wicked, the hero's choices were less wicked in comparison."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

And the wicked queen (Charlize Theron, again) is less wicked than endlessly, repetitively angst-ridden.

Independent

Duff is the best thing about this courtroom drama, wherein Rattigan (a gay playwright) essentially defends the sexually unorthodox Mrs Rattenbury as less wicked than conservative England presumed.

Independent

We learn that sins of incontinence are less wicked than sins of will; that the sins of sodomy, blasphemy, and usury are punished together because they all involve violence against God or His natural order.

The New Yorker

Further, why would the fact that Israelis shot dead in Israel were killed locally, rather than globally, make their attackers any less wicked, any less deserving of a declaration of war?

The New York Times

So we've installed half a dozen deep, dark holes, or "Sin Pits," where women who arrive seeking condoms (Satan's rubber sombreros), birth control, routine medical care, S.T.D. testing, or mammograms can go to think about what they've done, or to just die quietly, out of the view of more important, less wicked patients.

The New Yorker

A third was decades of denial that the Katyn massacre was the work of the Soviets, not the Nazis (that subject occasionally surfaces in this column too).But the article was not trying to argue Soviet history is more (or less) wicked than Britain's.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Their heroine is precociously stunning — "When she was seven years old she was as beautiful as the light of day, even more beautiful than the queen herself" — and her beauty inspires huntsman, dwarfs, and prince alike to protect her from a less fair, wicked queen.

The New Yorker

Jim Dale, as Marius, a mournful, ultimately less than wicked minister, gets it exactly right; we understand the character's weakness, and when he loses his bid to take over Miss Helen's life in this overlong, quiet, Chekhovian work, we feel as much for him as we do for Fugard's beautiful women.

The New Yorker

The number of prostitutes in London grew exponentially, but they came to be regarded less as wicked sirens and more as victims of men's carnal appetites who deserved not punishment but pity and, when possible, salvation and reform by charitable institutions".The Origins of Sex" is a splendidly informative and entertaining book, but Mr Dabhoiwala leaves us with quite a few frustratingly loose ends.

The Economist

It is less good at "wicked" problems, such as poverty and overpopulation.

The Guardian

For starters "2 Days in Paris" is less romantic, more wicked and very personal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing actions or characters, use "less wicked" to subtly indicate a reduced degree of moral wrongness without fully exonerating the subject. This can add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "less wicked" when you mean "good" or "innocent." The phrase indicates a relative reduction in wickedness, not an absence of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less wicked" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe something that possesses a smaller degree of wickedness compared to something else. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less wicked" serves as a comparative tool to differentiate between levels of moral wrongness. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and usable. The frequency of "less wicked" is rare, often appearing in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you're accurately conveying a relative degree of wickedness, avoiding the implication of goodness. Consider alternatives like "not as evil" or "less reprehensible" for clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as evil

Focuses directly on the quality of being evil, offering a more straightforward comparison.

less immoral

Emphasizes the morality aspect, implying a weaker ethical violation.

not as sinful

Highlights a religious or moral transgression with reduced severity.

not as malevolent

Underscores that a subject lacks the severity of malevolence found elsewhere.

comparatively innocent

Shifts the focus to innocence as a relative measure.

not quite as reprehensible

Focuses on the degree of condemnation something deserves.

somewhat better

Uses a general term of comparison and improves the moral judgment in question.

not as blameworthy

Addresses the level of guilt or culpability.

marginally virtuous

Highlights the small degree of virtue found to the detriment of wickedness.

relatively righteous

Presents a comparison based on righteousness.

FAQs

How can I use "less wicked" in a sentence?

Use "less wicked" to compare two actions, ideas, or characters where one is morally preferable but still not entirely virtuous. For example: "While both strategies involved deception, the second was "less wicked" than the first."

What's a more formal alternative to "less wicked"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "less reprehensible", "less culpable", or "less blameworthy" to convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

What is the difference between "less wicked" and "not wicked"?

"Less wicked" implies a comparative scale where something is still morally questionable but to a lesser degree, while "not wicked" suggests an absence of wickedness altogether. The former is a matter of degree, the latter an absolute state.

Is "less wicked" always used in a negative context?

Yes, "less wicked" inherently carries a negative connotation because it implies a comparison to something that is already considered morally wrong. Even when something is described as "less wicked", it still retains some level of negative implication.