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
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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.
The company accused Wilson of negotiating in bad faith after he proposed new terms, which it called “numerous new demands.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
The strike began in February, weeks before the WGA was set to enter negotiations with the major studios, with the workers accusing their employer of bargaining in bad faith.
From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026
The FDA further showed its bad faith by leaking the rejection letter to the press.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
"I must also stress that some tweets have been completely misunderstood, seemingly in bad faith," he added.
From Barron's • Dec. 29, 2025
He demanded the return of his gifts, which she had accepted in bad faith.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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.
