in bad faith

Idioms

With the intention of deceiving someone or doing harm, as in I'm sure they were acting in bad faith and never planned to pay us. This expression was first recorded in 1631. The antonym, in good faith, meaning “sincerely and honestly,” as in I signed that contract in good faith, dates from about 1350.

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 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

He also denies acting in "bad faith" against Llinos Griffin-Williams.

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025

External link of acting in bad faith by considering additional duties on steel and aluminum products.

From Barron's • Dec. 10, 2025

Each side had accused the other of negotiating in bad faith and of misleading consumers about the issues dividing them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

“Yes, you’re right,” Jaime would grudgingly admit with a rectitude that prevented him from arguing in bad faith.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023