wickedness

USAGE SUMMARY

"wickedness" is an acceptable and commonly used word in written English.
You can use it to refer to evil, cruel, or immoral behaviour, especially when it is particularly malicious or unpardonable. For example: She was utterly taken aback by the wickedness of his actions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That word does not even get close to the downright venality, wickedness and cruelty on display.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not until middle life did she become a professional journalist, and then it was of a somewhat specialised kind: ambitious investigations and studies of human wickedness, particularly persons and subjects connected with Hitler and his deeds.

The Economist

AIDS is a disease that takes people in the prime of life, rather than in decrepit old age.It is much easier to notice, deplore and act against deaths caused by human wickedness than deaths caused by nature.

The Economist

The spread of peace to some of the world's more benighted countries may happen not because leaders parley or Western troops leave, but because the element of wickedness has been taken out of their cars.

The Economist

In November Mr Wilders revealed his plan to air on television an exposé of the wickedness of the Koran, which he calls an Islamic "Mein Kampf".

The Economist

One is that Russia's rulers will as anyone in their position would—use the occasion to remind the world of their foes' incorrigible wickedness.

The Economist

They lack the resources, expertise and even desire to build them: for all the regime's wickedness, it has been a consistent opponent of proliferation.

The Economist

In the early 1990s, after a lengthy lecture by Jaroslaw Kaczynski on German wickedness, an exasperated Helmut Kohl, then Germany's chancellor, ordered him out of his office in Bonn and told an aide: "Don't let that man within gunshot of this building again".

The Economist

But fundamentally, there is a sort of assumption underlying English reporting that corrupt foreigners know, deep down, that their Anglo-Saxon accusers are right, but simply ignore them because the spoils of wickedness are so shiny and valuable.The thing is, I think that hand-rubbing, stage-villain conscious wickedness is really very rare indeed.

The Economist

Likewise with Mr Carrère, who prompts readers to look into their own selves by tracing all kinds of connections between Mr Romand and the rest of us without for once confusing understanding with sympathy or mitigating the wickedness of his crime.To question if "L'Adversaire" is really fiction or not is beside the point.

The Economist

For him, properly-regulated government was a vital bulwark against human wickedness.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wickedness" to describe actions or states of being that are intentionally and profoundly immoral or evil. It carries a strong negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "wickedness" to describe minor misdeeds or simple mistakes. It's a strong term best reserved for truly egregious actions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wickedness" is as a noun. It refers to the state or quality of being wicked; that is, profoundly immoral or evil. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and common use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wickedness" is a noun referring to the state of being wicked, denoting profoundly immoral and evil behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It is frequently used in news and media contexts to describe egregious actions, as seen in the Ludwig examples. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it is best reserved for describing truly severe moral failings to avoid diluting its impact. Related phrases include "evil actions" and "immoral behavior". Use "wickedness" to condemn severe transgressions and highlight intentional, profound evil.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immoral behavior

Highlights the violation of moral principles.

malevolence

Focuses on the intent to do evil.

evil actions

Focuses on the acts themselves rather than the state of being wicked.

iniquity

Implies a gross injustice or wickedness.

depravity

Suggests a state of moral corruption and degradation.

corruption

Highlights the decay of moral values.

villainy

Emphasizes the malicious and harmful nature of the actions.

unscrupulousness

Emphasizes the lack of moral principles.

atrocity

Focuses on an extremely cruel or violent act.

malfeasance

Refers to wrongdoing, especially by a public official.

FAQs

How can I use "wickedness" in a sentence?

You can use "wickedness" to describe actions or states of being that are intentionally and profoundly immoral or evil. For example, "The dictator's reign was marked by extreme "wickedness"".

What are some synonyms for "wickedness"?

Synonyms for "wickedness" include "evil actions", "immoral behavior", "depravity", and "iniquity". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "wickedness" a formal word?

"Wickedness" is a formal word and is appropriate for use in academic, journalistic, and professional writing. It should be used to describe actions or states of being that are intentionally and profoundly immoral or evil.

What is the difference between "wickedness" and "evil"?

"Evil" is a more general term for anything morally wrong or bad. "Wickedness" specifically refers to the state or quality of being wicked, implying a deliberate and intense form of evil.