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Showing synonyms for "bad"
poor
Below acceptable standards; inadequate in quality or performance.
- "The committee made a poor decision in hindsight."
- "His poor health prevented him from traveling."
From Old French 'povre', from Latin 'pauper' (poor, not wealthy).
inferior
Lower in quality or value; not as good as something else.
- "The counterfeit product was clearly inferior to the original."
- "She refused to accept inferior materials for the construction project."
From Latin 'inferior' (lower), comparative of 'inferus' (low).
substandard
A synonym of "bad" with similar meaning.
From 'sub-' (below) + 'standard', literally 'below the standard'.
unacceptable
A synonym of "bad" with similar meaning.
From 'un-' (not) + 'acceptable', from Latin 'acceptare' (to take willingly).
terrible
Extremely bad or serious; causing distress or fear.
- "The storm caused terrible damage to the coastal town."
- "She had a terrible headache that lasted all day."
From Latin 'terribilis' (frightful), from 'terrere' (to frighten).
awful
Very bad or unpleasant; inspiring dismay or horror.
- "The food at that restaurant was awful; we won't return."
- "She felt awful about forgetting her friend's birthday."
From 'awe' + 'ful', originally meaning 'inspiring awe'. Negative sense developed in 1800s.
lousy
A synonym of "bad" with similar meaning.
From 'louse' + 'y'. Original meaning 'infested with lice', figurative sense from 1908.
dreadful
Very bad or serious; causing great fear or suffering.
- "The accident was a dreadful tragedy that affected the entire community."
- "She had a dreadful experience at the hotel."
From 'dread' + 'ful'. Middle English 'dreden' (to fear greatly).
atrocious
Shockingly bad; horrifyingly brutal or cruel.
From Latin 'atrox' (fierce, cruel), from 'ater' (black, dark).
abysmal
Extremely bad; resembling an abyss in depth of poor quality.
From 'abyss' + '-al', from Greek 'abyssos' (bottomless), from 'a-' (without) + 'byssos' (depth).