bad faith
Americannoun
noun
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intention to deceive; treachery or dishonesty (esp in the phrase in bad faith )
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Also called: mauvaise foi. (in the philosophy of the 20th-century French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre) self-deception, as when an agent regards his actions as conditioned by circumstances or conventions in order to evade his own responsibility for choosing them freely
Other Word Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"This is not an accusation that Attorney General James is corrupt, acting in bad faith or incapable of performing her duties professionally," the statement said.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
However, the review concluded that no university employee or representative had acted in bad faith or shown "willful and wanton disregard" for anyone's safety.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
“Plaintiff’s false, malicious, and bad faith statements have wreaked havoc on Ms. Hajdini’s life.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
In granting the motion, however, Ohta said he found no objective evidence that the district attorney’s office was dismissing the case in bad faith.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2026
I am afraid of seeming either to promise more than I can perform, which suggests complete irresponsibility, or to perform less than I can, which suggests bad faith and indifference.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
