What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
evilly
Example
The villain in the movie laughed evilly as he plotted his next move. [evilly: adverb]
Example
She looked at him with an evilly gleeful expression on her face. [evilly: adverb]
wickedly
Example
The witch cackled wickedly as she stirred her cauldron. [wickedly: adverb]
Example
He grinned wickedly as he played a prank on his friend. [wickedly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wickedly is more commonly used than evilly in everyday language. Wickedly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while evilly is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between evilly and wickedly?
Evilly is more formal than wickedly and is less likely to be used in casual conversation. Both words can be used in formal writing or literature, but evilly may be more appropriate for serious or dramatic contexts.