wicked 1 of 2

adjective

ˈwi-kəd How to pronounce wicked (audio)
Definition of wickednext
1
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable a wicked urge to steal just for the sake of stealing

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2
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness a wicked grin on his face when he said that

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3
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses rotting eggs create a truly wicked stench caused a rash with a wicked itch

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4
as in dangerous
causing or capable of causing harm a wicked insult that deeply hurt his self-esteem for many years

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wicked

2 of 2

adverb

as in extremely
to a great degree we were wicked excited when our team finally won the pennant after so many years

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wicked
Adjective
On the afternoon of June 8, as a wicked storm bore down on the suburbs of Chicago, a cross country cyclist found a newborn kitten on the side of the road near Joliet. — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026 Yamal was a thorn in Saudi Arabia’s side, drifting infield to unleash shots from distance but also peppering the penalty area with wicked deliveries from the right flank. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Philadelphia already boasts a wicked rotation with Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler and Jesus Luzardo. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 June 2026 Spark, who was born in 1918 and died in 2006, had a talent for writing wicked little books that defy easy categorization; her coming-of-age stories feel like horror stories, her horror stories feel like love stories, and her love stories feel like acid satire. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wicked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wicked
  1. evil
  2. mischievous
  3. unpleasant
  4. dangerous
  5. extremely
  6. sinful
  7. playful
  8. harsh
Adjective
  • There is so much evil and suffering in the world, so much conniving and malicious intent, and the self is, at least, a familiar foe.
    — Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • When the monsters reveal an evil agenda that goes beyond becoming movie stars, the Minions are forced to battle them to save the world.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026
Definition of evil
Adjective
  • The bride and groom both wore custom Christian Dior looks designed by Jonathan Anderson, who’s known for elaborate, mischievous designs.
    — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Months after Scary Movie's release, Abrahams starred as the mischievous Denny Byrnes in Meet the Parents (2000).
    — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 June 2026
Definition of mischievous
Adjective
  • Alas, Ligeti proved to be an extraordinarily difficult collaborator, his manic perfectionism colliding with practical reality and leading to unpleasant scenes.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • The consequences are unpleasant, but can also turn dangerous very quickly as body temperature rises.
    — Victoria Forster, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • Teri handled higher-value finds and saw that potentially dangerous items – like firearms and knives – got to the local sheriff’s office.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Looking back through the sequence, Brazil have good numbers back and there is little need for anyone to overcommit — but a lazy tackle from behind leads to a free kick in a dangerous area.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adverb
  • The team turned to the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory, a stadium-sized synchrotron facility that produces extremely bright X-ray beams.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
  • Teasing out the impact of a small dose of radiation that occurs in addition to all those other exposures is extremely challenging, and the impact of extremely low exposures has not been decisively demonstrated.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Definition of extremely
Adjective
  • Critics also have challenged the report’s characterization of cases involving women, contending these were consensual affairs that were sinful but not abusive.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 June 2026
  • Naim and his overly anxious single mom (Mia Wasikowska) attend rote church services in which the pastor looks to exorcise the LGBTQ+ from sinful boys who like boys and girls who like girls.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Definition of sinful
Adjective
  • The bar program is playful, colorful and communal — expect to see a little something for everyone.
    — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • The playful exchange is the latest glimpse into the couple's famously candid relationship.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Definition of playful
Adjective
  • White settlers and frontier pioneers built vast, fenceless cattle stations, battling harsh environments and disease, embracing a hard-living culture that exists to this day.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Dish Soap Using harsh chemicals on the outside of your toilet bowl and fixtures is not recommended, according to Meagher.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026
Definition of harsh

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whys
wicked
wickedly
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Cite this Entry

“Wicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wicked. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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