Definition

Noun: - The quality or state of being morally bad, wicked, or harmful: "evilness" refers to the inherent nature or character of profound immorality, malevolence, or the intention to cause harm.

Usage

"Evilness" is an abstract noun used to describe the fundamental moral quality of a person, action, or entity. It emphasizes the inherent, often profound, nature of wickedness rather than a single evil act. It is a formal and somewhat literary term.

Examples

• The historian debated the sheer of the tyrant's regime, which was built on cruelty.
• In the novel, the villain's was contrasted with the protagonist's inherent goodness.
• Philosophers have long pondered the origin of in human nature.

Advanced Usage

• "The banality of evilness": A concept suggesting that great wickedness can arise from ordinary, thoughtless people following orders, not just from monstrous individuals.
  • The trial highlighted the banality of the crime's evilness; the perpetrators were not monsters but ordinary clerks.

Variants and Related Words

• Evil (adj/n): The more common adjective and noun form. As a noun, "evil" can refer to a force, a thing, or a general concept, while "evilness" specifically names the abstract quality.
  • They fought against the forces of evil. (noun)
  • It was an evil deed. (adjective)
• Wickedness (n): A close synonym, often interchangeable with "evilness," though it can sometimes imply a more active or rebellious sinfulness.
• Malevolence (n): Suggests an active wish to do evil or cause harm to others.
• Villainy (n): Often refers to the evil conduct or character typical of a villain, especially in stories.

Synonyms

• Wickedness
• Sinfulness
• Immorality
• Depravity (suggests extreme corruption)
• Iniquity (suggests gross injustice or wickedness)

Antonyms

• Goodness
• Virtue
• Morality
• Righteousness
• Benevolence

Related Concepts and Phrases

• The nature of evil: A philosophical inquiry into what constitutes evilness.
  • The course explored the nature of evil throughout history.
• To be possessed by evilness: To be controlled or strongly influenced by a wicked force or nature.
  • In the story, the character was possessed by an ancient evilness.

Noun

1. the quality of being morally wrong in principle or practice
   • attempts to explain the origin of evil in the world