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Badness: meaning, definitions and examples

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badness

 

[ˈbædnəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

feeling

The quality of being bad; the state of being not good.

Synonyms

inferiority, negativity, poor-quality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
badness

General context to describe something of poor quality or morally wrong.

  • The badness of the situation couldn't be ignored
  • The badness in his actions was evident to everyone around
poor-quality

Specifically used to describe something that is not made well or does not meet expected standards.

  • The poor-quality of the materials was evident as soon as the chair broke
  • The movie suffered from poor-quality special effects
inferiority

Used to indicate something or someone is lower in quality, status, or value compared to something else.

  • He felt a sense of inferiority when comparing his work to his colleague's
  • The product's inferiority became clear when it broke down within a month
negativity

Mainly used to describe a negative attitude or a pessimistic viewpoint.

  • Her constant negativity was draining for everyone in the office
  • The negativity in his comments was uncalled for

Examples of usage

  • The badness of the situation was evident to everyone present.
  • She couldn't ignore the badness of his actions.
Context #2 | Noun

behavior

The extent of being morally wrong or evil.

Synonyms

evil, immorality, wickedness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
badness

General term used to describe the state or quality of being bad. Suitable for everyday use and conveys a simple, non-specific sense of negativity.

  • The badness of the situation made everyone uncomfortable.
  • He couldn't believe the badness of her behavior.
wickedness

Conveys the idea of being morally wrong but with a sense of active malevolence or corruption. Often used in literary or dramatic contexts to describe characters and actions.

  • The wickedness of the witch was known throughout the land.
  • His eyes glinted with a hint of wickedness.
evil

Describes profound immorality and wickedness, often associated with a malevolent force. Suitable for describing actions or events that are harmful and morally wrong.

  • The villain's evil plan was foiled by the hero.
  • She shivered at the sheer evil of his deeds.
immorality

Refers to actions or behaviors that go against moral norms. Often used in discussions about ethics and morality, suitable for formal or serious contexts.

  • The leader was accused of immorality in his personal and professional life.
  • Immorality in the workplace can lead to a toxic environment.

Examples of usage

  • The badness of his behavior shocked everyone around him.
  • The sheer badness of the crime left everyone speechless.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'badness' comes from 'bad', which has roots in Old English 'bead', meaning 'evil or wicked'.
  • It became a noun in Middle English, showing how behaviors that are harmful evolved into a concept.
  • The suffix '-ness' denotes a state or quality, indicating how the term connects to the essence of being bad.

Psychology

  • In psychology, badness can refer to moral failings or negative behaviors that affect mental health.
  • Research suggests that feelings of guilt and shame often emerge from actions viewed as bad by individuals or society.
  • Social norms heavily influence perceptions of badness; what is seen as bad in one culture could be acceptable in another.

Literature

  • Classic literature often explores themes of badness, including the struggle between good and evil, such as in 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'.
  • Children's literature frequently portrays characters with badness through villains, teaching morality and good choices.
  • Shakespeare's works often delve into the complexity of human nature, depicting badness as inherent in all characters.

Pop Culture

  • Movies frequently depict the theme of badness through antagonists, creating tension and moral dilemmas for heroes.
  • Pop songs often explore the allure of badness, showing attraction to rebellious or 'bad' behavior as a form of freedom.
  • Reality shows sometimes glorify badness in behavior, leading to discussions around ethics and societal values.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers debate the nature of badness, with some arguing it is a lack of good rather than an independent quality.
  • The concept of moral relativism suggests that badness cannot be universally defined, as perspectives shift based on context.
  • Ethics examines the implications of defining actions as bad, impacting law, societal behavior, and personal accountability.

Translations

Translations of the word "badness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 maldade

🇮🇳 बुराई

🇩🇪 Schlechtigkeit

🇮🇩 kejahatan

🇺🇦 поганість

🇵🇱 zło

🇯🇵 悪さ (warusa)

🇫🇷 méchanceté

🇪🇸 maldad

🇹🇷 kötülük

🇰🇷 나쁨 (nappeum)

🇸🇦 شر (shar)

🇨🇿 špatnost

🇸🇰 zloba

🇨🇳 坏 (huài)

🇸🇮 zlo

🇮🇸 illska

🇰🇿 жамандық

🇬🇪 ბოროტება (boroteba)

🇦🇿 şər

🇲🇽 maldad

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,633, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.