Top 62 Slang For Bad – Meaning & Usage

When it comes to expressing dissatisfaction or disappointment, we all have our go-to words. But why settle for the usual when there’s a whole world of slang for bad out there? From “trash” to “wack,” we’ve rounded up the trendiest and most creative ways to describe something that just doesn’t cut it. Get ready to upgrade your vocabulary and add some flair to your conversations with this list of the hottest slang for bad!

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1. Lame

Lame is a slang term used to describe something that is uncool, boring, or not impressive.

For example, “That movie was so lame, I fell asleep halfway through.”
Someone might say, “I can’t believe you still listen to that lame band.”
In a conversation about a disappointing event, a person might comment, “The party last night was pretty lame, nothing exciting happened.”

2. Trash

Trash is a slang term used to describe something that is very bad or of poor quality.

For instance, “The food at that restaurant was absolute trash, I couldn’t even finish my meal.”
Someone might say, “I tried watching that new show, but it was complete trash.”
In a discussion about a disappointing product, a person might comment, “I bought this expensive gadget and it turned out to be total trash.”

3. Wack

Wack is a slang term used to describe something that is crazy, absurd, or just plain strange.

For example, “Did you see that wack outfit she was wearing? It made no sense.”
Someone might say, “The plot of that movie was so wack, I couldn’t follow along.”
In a conversation about a bizarre event, a person might comment, “The party last night was so wack, there were people dancing on the tables.”

4. Crappy

Crappy is a slang term used to describe something that is of very poor quality or not well-made.

For instance, “I bought this cheap phone and the camera quality is crappy.”
Someone might say, “The service at that restaurant was crappy, the waiters were rude.”
In a discussion about a disappointing product, a person might comment, “I ordered this online and the packaging was all torn, it was really crappy.”

5. Shitty

Shitty is a slang term used to describe something that is extremely bad, unpleasant, or of very poor quality.

For example, “I had such a shitty day at work, everything went wrong.”
Someone might say, “The weather today is so shitty, it’s raining non-stop.”
In a conversation about a terrible experience, a person might comment, “The service at that hotel was so shitty, they lost my reservation and were completely unhelpful.”

6. Garbage

Used to describe something of very poor quality or value.

For example, “This movie is absolute garbage.”
A person might say, “I can’t believe they’re serving this garbage for lunch.”
Someone might comment, “The new album is a complete garbage, compared to their previous work.”

7. Awful

Used to describe something extremely bad or unpleasant.

For instance, “That was an awful movie.”
A person might say, “I had an awful day at work.”
Someone might comment, “The service at that restaurant was awful.”

8. Terrible

Used to describe something of very poor quality or not good at all.

For example, “The food at that restaurant was terrible.”
A person might say, “I feel terrible after eating that.”
Someone might comment, “The weather today is terrible.”

9. Horrible

Used to describe something that is very unpleasant or causes great distress.

For instance, “That was a horrible accident.”
A person might say, “I had a horrible nightmare.”
Someone might comment, “The smell in here is horrible.”

10. Rotten

Used to describe something that is in a state of decay or decomposition.

For example, “The fruit is rotten.”
A person might say, “I can’t stand the smell of rotten eggs.”
Someone might comment, “The meat was rotten, so I had to throw it away.”

11. Dismal

This word describes something that is extremely bad or disappointing. It suggests a sense of gloom or hopelessness.

For example, “The team’s performance was dismal, losing every game of the season.”
A person might say, “The weather forecast for the weekend looks dismal, with rain and thunderstorms.”
When discussing a failed business venture, someone might comment, “The company’s financial results were dismal, leading to its closure.”

12. Abysmal

This word is used to describe something that is extremely bad, to the point of being abyss-like or bottomless. It conveys a sense of deep disappointment or failure.

For instance, “The restaurant received abysmal reviews for its food and service.”
A person might say, “The student’s test scores were abysmal, showing a lack of understanding.”
When discussing a movie, someone might comment, “The film received abysmal ratings from critics and audiences alike.”

13. Pathetic

This word describes something that is so bad or ineffective that it elicits pity or scorn. It suggests a lack of worth or capability.

For example, “His attempt at a joke was pathetic, nobody laughed.”
A person might say, “The team’s performance was pathetic, losing by a wide margin.”
When discussing a failed project, someone might comment, “Their effort was pathetic, resulting in a complete mess.”

14. Mediocre

This word describes something that is of only moderate or ordinary quality. It suggests a lack of excellence or distinction.

For instance, “The restaurant’s food was mediocre, neither outstanding nor terrible.”
A person might say, “The student’s performance was mediocre, showing only average understanding.”
When discussing a movie, someone might comment, “The film was mediocre, lacking originality or excitement.”

15. Shoddy

This word describes something that is of low quality or poorly made. It suggests a lack of care or attention to detail.

For example, “The furniture was shoddy, with loose screws and uneven surfaces.”
A person might say, “The company’s customer service was shoddy, with long wait times and unhelpful responses.”
When discussing a product, someone might comment, “The phone’s construction was shoddy, with a flimsy plastic casing.”

16. Crummy

This slang term is used to describe something that is of low quality or unpleasant in nature.

For example, “I stayed at a crummy hotel during my vacation.”
Someone might say, “The food at that restaurant was crummy.”
A person might complain, “I had a crummy day at work today.”

17. Lousy

This slang term is used to describe something that is terrible or of poor quality.

For instance, “The service at that restaurant was lousy.”
A person might say, “I feel lousy after eating too much junk food.”
Someone might complain, “I had a lousy experience with customer service.”

18. Junky

This slang term is used to describe something that is of poor quality or unsatisfactory.

For example, “I bought a junky car that keeps breaking down.”
A person might say, “The sound quality on this speaker is junky.”
Someone might complain, “I had a junky meal at that fast food restaurant.”

19. Bogus

This slang term is used to describe something that is fake or not genuine.

For instance, “He tried to sell me a bogus watch.”
A person might say, “The website looked legitimate, but it turned out to be bogus.”
Someone might comment, “That excuse is totally bogus.”

20. Flawed

This slang term is used to describe something that has defects or imperfections.

For example, “The plan had some flawed assumptions.”
A person might say, “The product design is flawed, causing frequent malfunctions.”
Someone might comment, “The argument presented in the article is deeply flawed.”

21. Subpar

This term refers to something that is of lower quality or below the expected standard. It is often used to express disappointment or dissatisfaction.

For example, “The food at that restaurant was subpar, I wouldn’t recommend it.”
A person might say, “I studied all night for the test and still got a subpar grade.”
In a discussion about a disappointing movie, someone might comment, “The acting was subpar, it ruined the whole film.”

22. Dreadful

This word is used to describe something that is extremely bad or unpleasant. It conveys a strong sense of disgust or horror.

For instance, “The weather today is dreadful, I don’t want to go outside.”
A person might say, “I had a dreadful experience at that restaurant, the service was awful.”
In a conversation about a bad performance, someone might comment, “The actor’s portrayal was dreadful, it was painful to watch.”

23. Rancid

This term is used to describe something that has gone bad, typically referring to food that has decayed or become spoiled.

For example, “I accidentally ate some rancid milk, and it made me sick.”
A person might say, “The smell coming from the garbage can was rancid, I had to take it out immediately.”
In a discussion about expired food, someone might comment, “I accidentally ate rancid meat, and it tasted terrible.”

24. Atrocious

This word is used to describe something that is shockingly bad or offensive. It conveys a strong sense of disgust or horror.

For instance, “The service at that restaurant was atrocious, I will never go back.”
A person might say, “The movie was atrocious, it was poorly written and acted.”
In a conversation about a terrible performance, someone might comment, “The singer’s voice was atrocious, it was painful to listen to.”

25. Pitiful

This term is used to describe something or someone that is deserving of pity or sympathy. It conveys a sense of sadness or disappointment.

For example, “The beggar on the street looked pitiful, I gave him some money.”
A person might say, “His attempt at singing was pitiful, he couldn’t carry a tune.”
In a discussion about a failed attempt, someone might comment, “His performance was pitiful, he didn’t even come close to succeeding.”

26. Shambolic

This term is used to describe something that is extremely messy, disorganized, or chaotic. It often implies a lack of planning or coordination.

For example, “The event was a shambolic mess with no clear direction.”
A person might describe a poorly executed project as “shambolic.”
“The team’s performance was shambolic,“The team’s performance was shambolic, resulting in a loss.”

27. Deplorable

This word is used to express strong disapproval or condemnation. It implies that something is extremely bad, unacceptable, or morally wrong.

For instance, “The conditions in the factory were deplorable.”
A person might say, “His behavior was absolutely deplorable.”
“The deplorable living conditions in the slums need immediate attention.”

28. Cringe-worthy

This slang term is used to describe something that is so embarrassing, awkward, or uncomfortable that it makes you cringe or feel second-hand embarrassment.

For example, “The comedian’s jokes were cringe-worthy and fell flat.”
A person might say, “I can’t watch that movie, it’s too cringe-worthy.”
“The awkward dance routine was cringe-worthy and drew laughter from the audience.”

29. God-awful

This slang term is used to emphasize how bad or unpleasant something is. It implies that something is so terrible or awful that it is beyond normal description.

For instance, “The food at that restaurant was god-awful.”
A person might say, “I had a god-awful day at work.”
“The team’s performance was god-awful and resulted in a humiliating defeat.”

30. Unimpressive

This term is used to describe something that is not impressive or fails to make a positive impact. It suggests a lack of excellence, quality, or noteworthy features.

For example, “The presentation was unimpressive and failed to captivate the audience.”
A person might say, “The movie received mixed reviews and was overall unimpressive.”
“His performance was unimpressive compared to his previous work.”

31. Sucky

This term is used to describe something that is very bad or unpleasant. It is often used in a casual or lighthearted manner.

For example, “That movie was so sucky, I couldn’t even finish it.”
A person might say, “I had a sucky day at work today.”
Another might complain, “This restaurant has really sucky service.”

32. Ghastly

This word is used to describe something that is extremely unpleasant or shocking. It often implies a sense of horror or disgust.

For instance, “She had a ghastly accident and broke her leg.”
A person might say, “I had a ghastly nightmare last night.”
Another might describe a haunted house as “ghastly” due to its eerie atmosphere.

33. Miserable

This term is used to describe a state of extreme unhappiness or discomfort. It can refer to both physical and emotional suffering.

For example, “I felt miserable after eating that spoiled food.”
A person might say, “I had a miserable time at the party.”
Another might describe a rainy day as “miserable” because it ruins their plans.

34. Nasty

This word is used to describe something that is extremely unpleasant or repulsive. It often implies a sense of disgust or revulsion.

For instance, “He left a nasty mess in the kitchen.”
A person might say, “I had a nasty cold and couldn’t stop coughing.”
Another might describe a foul odor as “nasty” due to its unpleasantness.

35. Trashy

This term is used to describe something that is of poor quality or lacking in taste. It can refer to anything from fashion to entertainment.

For example, “That movie was so trashy, I couldn’t believe I wasted my time watching it.”
A person might say, “She has a trashy sense of style.”
Another might describe a poorly written book as “trashy” because of its lack of substance.

36. Dopey

This term is used to describe someone or something that is not very intelligent or lacks common sense.

For example, “He made a dopey mistake by forgetting his keys again.”
A person might say, “That was a dopey decision you made.”
Another might comment, “I can’t believe I did something so dopey.”

37. Wretched

This word is used to describe something or someone that is extremely unpleasant, unfortunate, or of poor quality.

For instance, “The weather was wretched, with constant rain and strong winds.”
A person might say, “I had a wretched day at work, everything went wrong.”
Another might comment, “The food at that restaurant was absolutely wretched.”

38. Flimsy

This term is used to describe something that is not sturdy or strong, and is likely to break or collapse easily.

For example, “The table was made of flimsy material and wobbled with the slightest touch.”
A person might say, “The excuse he gave for being late was flimsy and not believable.”
Another might comment, “The packaging for this product is so flimsy, it tore open during shipping.”

39. Crap

This word is used to describe something that is of poor quality, worthless, or not true.

For instance, “I bought this shirt online, but it turned out to be crap.”
A person might say, “Don’t listen to him, he’s just talking crap.”
Another might comment, “The movie was a complete crap, I wasted my money on it.”

40. Piss-poor

This term is used to describe something that is exceptionally bad or of extremely low quality.

For example, “The service at that restaurant was piss-poor, the waiters were rude and the food took forever.”
A person might say, “He did a piss-poor job on his presentation, it was full of errors and lacked any substance.”
Another might comment, “The condition of the apartment was piss-poor, with broken furniture and dirty walls.”

41. Rinky-dink

This term is used to describe something that is poorly made or not up to standard. It can also refer to something that is small or insignificant.

For example, “I bought this rinky-dink toy and it broke after one use.”
A person might say, “Don’t waste your money on that rinky-dink restaurant. The food is awful.”
In a conversation about technology, someone might comment, “That rinky-dink phone is so slow and outdated.”

42. Raunchy

This word is often used to describe something that is sexually explicit or offensive in a crude or vulgar way. It can also refer to something that is dirty or unclean.

For instance, “They played a raunchy comedy film at the theater.”
A person might say, “I can’t believe you told that raunchy joke in front of our grandparents.”
In a discussion about music, someone might comment, “That song has some really raunchy lyrics.”

43. Rinky

This term is a shortened version of “rinky-dink” and is used to describe something that is small, unimportant, or of low quality.

For example, “I don’t have time for rinky excuses.”
A person might say, “Don’t bother with that rinky job. It’s not worth your time.”
In a conversation about fashion, someone might comment, “That rinky accessory doesn’t add anything to the outfit.”

44. Shite

This word is a slang term for feces and is often used to express strong dislike or disappointment. It can also be used to describe something that is of very poor quality.

For instance, “I stepped in dog shite on the sidewalk.”
A person might say, “That movie was absolute shite. I wasted my money.”
In a discussion about food, someone might comment, “The restaurant served us shite for dinner.”

45. Dreck

This word is used to describe something that is dirty, worthless, or of very poor quality. It can also refer to something that is considered to be trash or junk.

For example, “I can’t believe you bought that dreck at the flea market.”
A person might say, “This hotel room is dreck. I can’t stay here.”
In a conversation about art, someone might comment, “That painting is just dreck. There’s no talent or skill evident.”

46. Janky

This term is used to describe something that is not functioning properly or is of poor quality.

For example, “The old car I bought is so janky, it keeps breaking down.”
A person might complain, “The hotel room was so janky, the bed was falling apart.”
Another might say, “I tried to fix my computer, but now it’s even more janky than before.”

47. Dumpy

This word is used to describe something that is unattractive, in poor condition, or lacking in style.

For instance, “The apartment I visited was so dumpy, I wouldn’t want to live there.”
A person might say, “The neighborhood used to be nice, but now it’s full of dumpy houses.”
Another might comment, “The hotel we stayed at was really dumpy, with dirty carpets and peeling wallpaper.”

48. Rinky-dinky

This term is used to describe something that is small, insignificant, or not up to standard.

For example, “The rinky-dinky little shop had only a few items for sale.”
A person might comment, “The website looks rinky-dinky, like it was made in the 90s.”
Another might say, “The car was rinky-dinky, with no power and uncomfortable seats.”

49. Craptastic

This word is a combination of “crap” and “fantastic” and is used sarcastically to describe something that is exceptionally bad.

For instance, “The movie was so craptastic, I couldn’t even finish watching it.”
A person might say, “I bought this craptastic product and it broke after one use.”
Another might comment, “The service at that restaurant was craptastic, with rude staff and cold food.”

50. Shabby

This term is used to describe something that is old, worn, or in a state of disrepair.

For example, “The shabby old couch was covered in stains and had springs poking out.”
A person might say, “The hotel room was shabby, with peeling paint and threadbare carpets.”
Another might comment, “The car is getting shabby, with rust and dents all over.”

51. Rinkydink

This term is used to describe something that is of poor quality or cheaply made. It can refer to objects, places, or even people.

For example, “That rinkydink car broke down again.”
Someone might say, “I can’t believe they expect us to stay in this rinkydink motel.”
A person might describe a poorly made product as, “This rinkydink toy fell apart after one use.”

52. Rinky-dinkity

This word is an intensified version of “rinkydink” and is used to describe something that is extremely low-quality or amateurish.

For instance, “The rinky-dinkity website design is hurting their business.”
In a discussion about a poorly organized event, someone might say, “The whole thing was rinky-dinkity.”
A person might describe a shoddy DIY project as, “Their attempt at home repairs was rinky-dinkity at best.”

53. Shit

This is a strong and vulgar term used to describe something that is terrible or of very poor quality. It can also be used to express frustration or disappointment.

For example, “This movie is absolute shit.”
Someone might say, “I can’t believe they served us this shit food.”
A person might exclaim, “Shit! I forgot my keys again.”

54. Shit-ass

This term is an intensified version of “shit” and is used to describe something that is extremely bad or of the worst quality possible.

For instance, “I can’t believe I wasted money on this shit-ass product.”
In a discussion about a poorly executed plan, someone might say, “That was a shit-ass idea.”
A person might describe a terrible performance as, “They gave a shit-ass presentation.”

55. Rinky-dinkity-ass

This term combines the meanings of “rinky-dinkity” and “ass” to emphasize that something is extremely low-quality or amateurish. The addition of “ass” adds a vulgar tone.

For example, “They tried to sell me this rinky-dinkity-ass product.”
Someone might say, “I can’t believe they expect us to work in this rinky-dinkity-ass office.”
A person might criticize a poorly made item as, “This rinky-dinkity-ass toy isn’t worth the price.”

56. Shit-tastic

This term is used to describe something that is so bad it’s almost comical. It combines the word “shit” with the suffix “-tastic” to emphasize the level of badness.

For example, “The movie I watched last night was shit-tastic. It had terrible acting, a nonsensical plot, and cheesy special effects.”
A person might say, “I just tried this new restaurant and the food was shit-tastic. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.”
Another might comment, “I thought the concert was going to be great, but the sound quality was shit-tastic.”

57. Rinky-dink-ass

This term is used to describe something that is cheap, poorly made, or not worth much attention. It combines the phrase “rinky-dink” with the word “ass” for added emphasis.

For instance, “I can’t believe they’re selling this rinky-dink-ass toy for $20. It’s not even worth $5.”
A person might say, “I had to use this rinky-dink-ass computer at work and it kept freezing. It was so frustrating.”
Another might comment, “The hotel we stayed at was rinky-dink-ass. The room was tiny and the bed was uncomfortable.”

58. Shitshow

This term is used to describe a situation that is completely out of control, disorganized, or a total mess. It combines the word “shit” with the word “show” to convey the level of chaos.

For example, “The party turned into a shitshow when the police showed up and everyone started fighting.”
A person might say, “The meeting was a total shitshow. No one was prepared and it was just a waste of time.”
Another might comment, “The restaurant service was a shitshow. We waited over an hour for our food and it came out cold.”

59. Shitstorm

This term is used to describe a situation where there is a significant amount of backlash, controversy, or negative attention. It combines the word “shit” with the word “storm” to convey the intensity of the situation.

For instance, “The company’s decision to lay off employees caused a shitstorm of criticism and outrage.”
A person might say, “The celebrity’s controversial tweet started a shitstorm on social media. People were calling for them to be canceled.”
Another might comment, “The politician’s scandal created a shitstorm in the media. It dominated the news cycle for weeks.”

60. Shit-for-brains

This term is used as an insult to demean someone’s intelligence or mental capacity. It combines the word “shit” with the phrase “for brains” to emphasize the lack of intelligence.

For example, “I can’t believe that shit-for-brains politician actually said that. It just shows how out of touch they are.”
A person might say, “Don’t listen to him, he’s just a shit-for-brains. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Another might comment, “The boss hired a real shit-for-brains to work on our team. It’s been a disaster.”

61. Defective

This term refers to something that is not functioning properly or is flawed in some way. It is often used to describe products or items that do not meet expectations or have defects.

For example, “I bought a defective phone that keeps freezing.”
A person might complain, “This toaster is defective. It burns the bread every time.”
In a review, someone might write, “The defective stitching on this shirt caused it to unravel after just one wash.”

62. Useless

This word describes something that has no practical value or is ineffective. It is often used to express frustration or disappointment with something that is not useful.

For instance, “This broken pen is useless. It won’t even write.”
A person might say, “I tried following the instructions, but they were useless.”
In a conversation about a malfunctioning gadget, someone might comment, “It’s just a useless piece of junk.”