Wicked vs. Evil — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 28, 2023
"Wicked" often denotes deliberate wrongdoing or mischief, while "Evil" refers to a profound immorality or malevolence.
Difference Between Wicked and Evil
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Wicked" and "Evil" are terms often used interchangeably, but they carry distinct nuances. Wicked primarily points to intentional and malevolent actions or character traits. For instance, a person committing a crime for the thrill of it may be called wicked. On the other hand, Evil encompasses a deeper, intrinsic malevolence or wrongdoing, transcending mere actions.
While "Wicked" might often have a lighter, more playful connotation, like describing someone's mischievous behavior, "Evil" consistently carries a weightier implication, hinting at profound malevolence. A child stealing cookies might be labeled wicked playfully, whereas a dictator oppressing millions is more aptly described as evil.
The distinction also surfaces in colloquial uses. "Wicked" can be employed in slang to mean "excellent" or "cool," as in "a wicked guitar solo." In contrast, "Evil" remains tethered to its negative associations, rarely straying into positive or light-hearted territory.
In literature and media, a wicked character might be redeemable or have understandable motives, but an evil character is typically portrayed as deeply malevolent without hope for redemption. This distinction showcases the profound difference in the depth of malevolence between the two terms.
Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
Deliberate wrongdoing or mischief
Profound immorality or malevolence
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Connotation
Can be playful or severe
Consistently negative
Colloquial Uses
Sometimes positive, e.g., "cool"
Rarely strays from its negative connotation
Depth of Malevolence
Can be superficial or deep
Almost always profound
Redeemability in Fiction
Often redeemable or sympathetic
Typically portrayed as deeply malevolent and irredeemable
Compare with Definitions
Wicked
Morally wrong or sinful.
Her wicked actions hurt many people.
Evil
Harmful or injurious.
The disease had an evil effect on the community.
Wicked
Being or showing a wicked or mischievous disposition.
She had a wicked sense of humor.
Evil
Evil, in a general sense, is defined by what it is not—the opposite or absence of good. It can be an extremely broad concept, although in everyday usage it is often more narrowly used to talk about profound wickedness.
Wicked
Harsh or adverse.
The storm produced wicked winds.
Evil
Morally bad or wrong; wicked
An evil tyrant.
Wicked
Evil or immoral
"this wicked man Hitler, the repository and embodiment of many forms of soul-destroying hatred" (Winston S. Churchill).
Evil
Causing ruin, injury, or pain; harmful
The evil effects of a poor diet.
Wicked
Playfully malicious or mischievous
A wicked prank.
A critic's wicked wit.
Evil
Characterized by or indicating future misfortune; ominous
Evil omens.
Wicked
Severe and distressing
A wicked cough.
A wicked gash.
Wicked driving conditions.
Evil
Bad or blameworthy by report; infamous
An evil reputation.
Wicked
Highly offensive; obnoxious
A wicked stench.
Evil
Characterized by anger or spite; malicious
An evil temper.
Wicked
(Slang) Strikingly good, effective, or skillful
A wicked curve ball.
A wicked imitation.
Evil
The quality of being morally bad or wrong; wickedness.
Wicked
Used as an intensive
"a ... body suit, which she describes as wicked comfortable" (Nathan Cobb).
Evil
That which causes harm, misfortune, or destruction
A leader's power to do both good and evil.
Wicked
Evil or mischievous by nature.
Genuine cowards follow wicked people and cannot reliably sustain any virtue.
Evil
An evil force, power, or personification.
Wicked
(slang) Excellent; awesome; masterful.
That was a wicked guitar solo, bro!
Evil
Something that is a cause or source of suffering, injury, or destruction
The social evils of poverty and injustice.
Wicked
Having a wick.
A two-wicked lamp
Evil
In an evil manner.
Wicked
Active; brisk.
Evil
Intending to harm; malevolent.
An evil plot to brainwash and even kill innocent people
Wicked
Infested with maggots.
Evil
Morally corrupt.
If something is evil, it is never mandatory.
Do you think that companies that engage in animal testing are evil?
Wicked
Alternative form of wick, as applying to inanimate objects only.
Evil
Unpleasant, foul (of odour, taste, mood, weather, etc.).
Wicked
Very, extremely.
The band we went to see the other night was wicked loud!
Evil
Producing or threatening sorrow, distress, injury, or calamity; unpropitious; calamitous.
Wicked
Simple past tense and past participle of wick
Evil
(obsolete) Having harmful qualities; not good; worthless or deleterious.
An evil beast; an evil plant; an evil crop
Wicked
Having a wick; - used chiefly in composition; as, a two-wicked lamp.
Evil
Undesirable; harmful; bad practice.
Global variables are evil; storing processing context in object member variables allows those objects to be reused in a much more flexible way.
Wicked
Evil in principle or practice; deviating from morality; contrary to the moral or divine law; addicted to vice or sin; sinful; immoral; profligate; - said of persons and things; as, a wicked king; a wicked woman; a wicked deed; wicked designs.
Hence, then, and evil go with thee along,Thy offspring, to the place of evil, hell,Thou and thy wicked crew!
Never, never, wicked man was wise.
Evil
Moral badness; wickedness; malevolence; the forces or behaviors that are the opposite or enemy of good.
The evils of society include murder and theft.
Evil lacks spirituality, hence its need for mind control.
Wicked
Cursed; baneful; hurtful; bad; pernicious; dangerous.
This were a wicked way, but whoso had a guide.
Evil
Something which impairs the happiness of a being or deprives a being of any good; something which causes suffering of any kind to sentient beings; harm; injury; mischief.
Wicked
Ludicrously or sportively mischievous; disposed to mischief; roguish.
Pen looked uncommonly wicked.
Evil
(obsolete) A malady or disease; especially in combination, as in king's evil, colt evil.
Wicked
Morally bad in principle or practice
Evil
(obsolete) wickedly, evilly, iniquitously
Wicked
Having committed unrighteous acts;
A sinful person
Evil
(obsolete) injuriously, harmfully; in a damaging way.
Wicked
Intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality;
Severe pain
A severe case of flu
A terrible cough
Under wicked fire from the enemy's guns
A wicked cough
Evil
(obsolete) badly, poorly; in an insufficient way.
It went evil with him.
Wicked
Morally bad or wrong;
Evil purposes
An evil influence
Evil deeds
Evil
Having qualities tending to injury and mischief; having a nature or properties which tend to badness; mischievous; not good; worthless or deleterious; poor; as, an evil beast; and evil plant; an evil crop.
A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit.
Wicked
Highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust;
A disgusting smell
Distasteful language
A loathsome disease
The idea of eating meat is repellent to me
Revolting food
A wicked stench
Evil
Having or exhibiting bad moral qualities; morally corrupt; wicked; wrong; vicious; as, evil conduct, thoughts, heart, words, and the like.
Ah, what a sign it is of evil life,When death's approach is seen so terrible.
Wicked
Engaging in or involving mischief.
His wicked grin revealed his prank.
Evil
Producing or threatening sorrow, distress, injury, or calamity; unpropitious; calamitous; as, evil tidings; evil arrows; evil days.
Because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel.
The owl shrieked at thy birth - an evil sign.
Evil news rides post, while good news baits.
It almost led him to believe in the evil eye.
Wicked
Extremely good (slang).
That was a wicked concert last night!
Evil
Anything which impairs the happiness of a being or deprives a being of any good; anything which causes suffering of any kind to sentient beings; injury; mischief; harm; - opposed to good.
Evils which our own misdeeds have wrought.
The evil that men do lives after them.
Evil
Moral badness, or the deviation of a moral being from the principles of virtue imposed by conscience, or by the will of the Supreme Being, or by the principles of a lawful human authority; disposition to do wrong; moral offence; wickedness; depravity.
The heart of the sons of men is full of evil.
Evil
Malady or disease; especially in the phrase king's evil, the scrofula.
He [Edward the Confessor] was the first that touched for the evil.
Evil
In an evil manner; not well; ill; badly; unhappily; injuriously; unkindly.
It went evil with his house.
The Egyptians evil entreated us, and affected us.
Evil
Morally objectionable behavior
Evil
That which causes harm or destruction or misfortune;
The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones
Evil
The quality of being morally wrong in principle or practice;
Attempts to explain the origin of evil in the world
Evil
Morally bad or wrong;
Evil purposes
An evil influence
Evil deeds
Evil
Having the nature of vice
Evil
Tending to cause great harm
Evil
Having or exerting a malignant influence;
Malevolent stars
A malefic force
Evil
Morally reprehensible or sinful.
The dictator's evil deeds were condemned globally.
Evil
Marked by bad luck or events.
An evil omen hung over the journey.
Evil
Profoundly malevolent.
Evil spirits haunted the mansion.
Evil
Exhibiting or suggesting ill will.
He gave her an evil glare.
Common Curiosities
Can "Wicked" refer to mischief that isn't necessarily immoral?
Yes, "Wicked" can describe playful or mischievous actions.
Is "Evil" ever used in a positive context?
Rarely, "Evil" almost always retains its negative connotations.
Can someone be called "Wicked" for a non-moral reason?
Yes, e.g., a "wicked curveball" in baseball refers to a particularly good pitch.
Is "Wicked" always used in a negative sense?
No, "Wicked" can sometimes mean "excellent" or "cool" in slang.
Can both "Wicked" and "Evil" be used as adjectives?
Yes, both can describe people, actions, or things.
Is "Evil" deeper in malevolence than "Wicked"?
Yes, "Evil" typically conveys a more profound malevolence than "Wicked."
Does "Wicked" have a lighter connotation than "Evil"?
Generally, yes. "Wicked" can be more playful, while "Evil" is weightier.
Which word might describe a playful prank: Wicked or Evil?
Wicked would be more appropriate for a playful prank.
Is it common to use "Wicked" in positive slang?
In some regions or contexts, yes, such as "a wicked good time."
Is "Evil" always associated with moral judgments?
Most often, yes, but it can also describe harmful or malevolent forces without moral implications.
Does "Wicked" always imply intentionality?
No, but it often does, especially in moral contexts.
How are "Wicked" and "Evil" differentiated in literature?
Wicked characters might have redeemable qualities, while evil ones are typically deeply malevolent.
Are all evil actions also wicked?
Generally, yes. But not all wicked actions are profoundly evil.
Can natural events be described using "Wicked" or "Evil"?
Yes. E.g., a "wicked storm" or the "evil effects" of a disease.
Which term has a broader range of meanings: Wicked or Evil?
Wicked has a broader range, from playful mischief to severe wrongdoing, while Evil is consistently negative.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
