lesser evil

USAGE SUMMARY

"lesser evil" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often seen in political discussions, where it is used to describe situations where no good outcome is possible, and one is forced to pick between less bad options. For example, "The leading candidates both have their flaws, so the voters are faced with a choice between the lesser of two evils."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The lesser evil, as it were.

The New York Times

That is the "lesser evil".

The New York Times - Books

Assad is not in any sense a "lesser evil".

Independent

Faced with Hobson's choice, we opted for the lesser evil.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are much more likely to vote for the lesser evil.

Independent

So until progress brings a middle ground, it becomes simply, which is the lesser evil?

The New York Times

So designing elections is always a matter of choosing a lesser evil.

The New Yorker

Given this asymmetry, overshooting inflation is clearly a lesser evil than undershooting inflation.

The Economist

Instead, we have become only the lesser evil — which is still evil.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In contrast with James Mill, Bentham's argument is of the lesser-evil type.

SEP

One is going to be this lesser-evil argument.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lesser evil", ensure it's clear what the two evils are and why the chosen option is considered the lesser of the two. Provide context to justify the selection.

Common error

Avoid using "lesser evil" without establishing a shared understanding of what makes both options undesirable. What one person considers an 'evil', another might see as a necessary compromise or even a positive outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser evil" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a choice or situation where one option is considered less undesirable than another. As Ludwig shows, this usage is grammatically sound and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lesser evil" is a commonly used noun phrase referring to the choice between two undesirable options, where one is considered less harmful. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki, this phrase serves to justify difficult choices by highlighting the minimization of harm. When using "lesser evil", clarity is crucial, as differing perceptions of what constitutes an "evil" can lead to misinterpretations. Remember to provide sufficient context to support the justification for your selection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the lesser of two wrongs

Mirrors the original phrase but uses "wrongs" instead of "evils".

the better of two bad options

This alternative directly highlights the context of selecting between two negative choices.

the lesser of two undesirable outcomes

Highlights that the choices lead to unwanted results, but one is milder.

the least objectionable alternative

Focuses on minimizing the level of objection when choosing from a set of possibilities.

the more tolerable option

Emphasizes the difficulty of the situation, but also highlight the existence of a more bearable choice.

the preferable of unfavorable choices

Emphasizes that, despite the negative nature, one choice is still preferable.

the most acceptable compromise

Focuses on finding a balance and finding the better choice. It also shifts the focus to the positive aspect of compromise.

the unavoidable compromise

This phrase emphasizes the need to accept something less than ideal as a necessary tradeoff.

the pragmatic choice

Suggests focusing on practical considerations despite potential downsides.

the lesser burden

Uses the metaphor of a burden to highlight the situation, but the phrase can be applied to a wider variety of circumstances.

FAQs

How to use "lesser evil" in a sentence?

You can use "lesser evil" when facing two undesirable options, choosing the less objectionable one. For example, "Given the budget cuts, layoffs were the "lesser evil" compared to closing the entire department."

What's the difference between "lesser evil" and "necessary evil"?

"Lesser evil" implies choosing the less bad option from two negative choices. "Necessary evil" refers to something unpleasant that must be accepted to achieve a desired outcome, not necessarily a choice between two evils.

What can I say instead of "lesser evil"?

You can use alternatives like "the better of two bad options", "least objectionable alternative", or "preferable of unfavorable choices" depending on the context.

Is it always justifiable to choose the "lesser evil"?

The justification depends on the specific situation and ethical framework. While "lesser evil" minimizes harm in the immediate context, it may have unintended long-term consequences. Therefore, it requires a careful evaluation of potential outcomes.