What Is Another Way to Say “Bad Idea”?

Looking for synonyms for bad idea? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say bad idea.

  • Poor decision
  • Misjudgment
  • Mistake
  • Ill-advised move
  • Folly
  • Blunder
  • Miscalculation
  • Error
  • Misstep
  • Inadvisable action
  • Flawed plan
  • Unwise choice
  • Wrong move
  • Foolish idea
  • Inept choice

Want to learn how to say bad idea professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Poor Decision

When to use: Suitable for a choice that leads to undesirable outcomes.
Example: “Expanding the business too quickly was a poor decision that strained their resources.”

2. Misjudgment

When to use: Appropriate for a situation where a situation or person is incorrectly assessed.
Example: “The company’s misjudgment of the market demand led to overproduction.”

3. Mistake

When to use: Ideal for a general wrong action or decision.
Example: “Not investing in employee training earlier was a mistake.”

4. Ill-advised Move

When to use: Used for actions taken without proper consideration or advice.
Example: “Cutting the research budget was an ill-advised move.”

5. Folly

When to use: Suitable for a decision or action that is foolish or lacks good judgment.
Example: “Ignoring the warning signs of financial distress was pure folly.”

6. Blunder

When to use: Appropriate for a gross or careless mistake.
Example: “The PR blunder significantly damaged the company’s reputation.”

7. Miscalculation

When to use: Ideal for a situation where a wrong calculation or estimate leads to a poor decision.
Example: “A miscalculation of the project’s scope resulted in delayed completion.”

8. Error

When to use: Used for a mistake, especially in judgment or action.
Example: “The error in data analysis led to incorrect conclusions.”

9. Misstep

When to use: Suitable for a wrong or misguided step in a process.
Example: “The executive’s misstep in negotiations jeopardized the deal.”

10. Inadvisable Action

When to use: Appropriate for an action that is not recommended or sensible.
Example: “Implementing changes without consulting the team was an inadvisable action.”

11. Flawed Plan

When to use: Ideal for a plan or strategy that has significant weaknesses.
Example: “The marketing strategy was a flawed plan that didn’t consider key demographics.”

12. Unwise Choice

When to use: Used for a decision that lacks wisdom or good judgment.
Example: “Choosing a supplier based solely on cost was an unwise choice.”

13. Wrong Move

When to use: Suitable for a decision or action that is incorrect or inappropriate.
Example: “Relocating the office without employee consultation was the wrong move.”

14. Foolish Idea

When to use: Appropriate for an idea that lacks sense or is impractical.
Example: “Investing in outdated technology was a foolish idea.”

15. Inept Choice

When to use: Ideal for a choice that shows lack of skill or competence.
Example: “The inept choice of the new software system caused more problems than it solved.”

Linda Brown