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NECESSARY EVIL meaning: 1. something unpleasant that must be accepted in order to achieve a particular result: 2…. Learn more.
NECESSARY EVIL definition: 1. something unpleasant that must be accepted in order to achieve a particular result: 2…. Learn more.
A necessary evil is an evil that someone believes must be done or accepted because it is necessary to achieve a better outcome—especially because possible alternative courses of action or inaction are expected to be worse.
a thing that is unpleasant or even harmful, but which must be accepted because it brings some benefit: Injections against tropical illnesses are a necessary evil when you are planning to travel to that part of the world. ♢ I suppose all these security measures are a necessary evil.
If you say something is a necessary evil, you don't like it but you understand that it has to be accepted sometimes or it has to exist. For example Sandra says money's a necessary evil.
Learn how to use the idiom "necessary evil" to describe something unpleasant but essential for a greater good. Explore its origin, examples, variations, synonyms, antonyms, and cultural insights.
Learn the meaning of the idiom "necessary evil", which refers to something undesirable but necessary for a greater good. See examples of how to use this phrase in sentences and alternative expressions.