wicked people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wicked people" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to people who are doing wrong or immoral acts, or to emphasize that something that someone did was bad. For example, "The wicked people of this organization have been misleading their customers for years".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Meeting wicked people.

The Guardian - Music

"There are a lot of wicked people".

The New York Times - Tech

True satirists, though they have a lingering respect for wicked people, basically hate everybody.

The New Yorker

Well, if wickedness is the criterion, not all the wicked people in Britain are in prison.

The Economist

It was a time when wicked people ruled the land, wicked people who were frightened of the magic of stories and poems, terrified of the power of books.

The Guardian - Books

Brexit happened, they told him, because the wicked people lied to the stupid people.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

"It's wicked seeing people singing along to your tune and seeing them go crazy for it.

The Guardian - Music

Laura Kraut, a member of the United States show jumping team at the World Equestrian Games, said the scrutiny "makes riders look like wicked, cheating people".

The New York Times - Sports

To the argument that women are weak-minded and childish, Reason counters: "It's truly wicked of people to try to turn something which is good and praiseworthy in a woman - her tenderness - into something bad and blameworthy.

The Guardian - Books

And so God took Noah, and He showed him how wicked the people in his generation had become, and how they had forgotten God, and how hatred had filled their hearts, and Noah realized that if he didn't save them nobody would.

The New Yorker

African-Americans are more attuned to the 'Color Purple.' Teenage girls want to see 'Wicked.' People who hate both those shows want to see the 'The Drowsy Chaperone.' They have found a way to drill down in the marketplace and find the right audience".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wicked people" to clearly convey moral reprehensibility or malevolence. It's particularly effective in contexts where you want to evoke a strong sense of disapproval or condemnation.

Common error

While "wicked people" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing. Consider substituting with more nuanced terms like "unethical individuals" or "corrupt officials" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wicked people" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "wicked" modifies the noun "people". It serves to describe a group of individuals characterized by their immoral or malevolent actions or intentions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wicked people" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe individuals characterized by their immorality or malevolence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's acceptable in written English and conveys a strong sense of disapproval. While it appears most frequently in News & Media, it is also present in academic and encyclopedia contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific nuance you want to convey – whether it's a focus on their evil nature ("evil individuals"), lack of principles ("unscrupulous people"), or corrupt actions ("corrupt individuals"). Be mindful of the context; while generally acceptable, more formal alternatives may be preferable in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evil individuals

Replaces "wicked" with "evil", offering a more direct synonym.

immoral persons

Uses a more formal term, "immoral", to describe the people.

villainous characters

Implies a narrative context, suggesting that the people are antagonists in a story or situation.

corrupt individuals

Focuses on the aspect of corruption as the defining characteristic of these people.

unscrupulous people

Highlights their lack of moral principles.

nefarious individuals

Employs a more sophisticated and literary synonym for "wicked".

deplorable characters

Emphasizes the deserving of strong condemnation.

malicious persons

Focuses on their intent to do harm.

reprobate individuals

Suggests that they are morally unprincipled or bad.

iniquitous people

Indicates a gross injustice or wickedness.

FAQs

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

You can use "wicked people" to describe individuals who engage in morally reprehensible or harmful behavior. For example, "The detective dedicated his life to bringing "wicked people" to justice".

What's a less judgmental way to describe "wicked people"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "unethical individuals", "wrongdoers", or "malefactors" to convey the same meaning with less emotional charge.

Is "wicked people" a formal or informal expression?

"Wicked people" is generally considered a neutral expression. While widely understood, in formal contexts, alternatives like "corrupt officials" or "malevolent actors" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "wicked people" and "evil people"?

While similar, "wicked" often implies a deliberate choice to do wrong, whereas "evil" suggests a more profound and inherent malevolence. Both "wicked people" and "evil people" engage in harmful behavior, but the motivations or nature of their actions may differ in degree.