social evil

American  

noun

1. anything detrimental to a society or its citizens, as alcoholism, organized crime, etc.

2. prostitution.

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Etymology

Origin of social evil

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

The film also tackles the social evil that is dowry - the practice of the bride's family gifting cash, clothes and jewellery to the groom's family.

From BBC

"Each episode in this season takes up one structural social evil that is strengthened by marriage," says Debashree Mukherjee, a film scholar and professor at Columbia University.

From BBC

"He agreed that it was a social evil," she told me, adding that it made her think that he was different from the others she had met so far.

From BBC

Now, a 27-year-old teacher in the central city of Bhopal has started a petition asking the police to deploy officers at marriage venues and conduct raids to put an end to this "social evil".

From BBC

"Dowry is a social evil and we are committed to ending it. I have directed all police stations to give proper help to any woman who approaches them," Mr Mishra told me.

From BBC