lesser

lesser (of the two)

the smaller one (of two); the one having the lesser amount. The last two pieces of pie were not quite the same size, and I chose the lesser of the two. Faced with a basket containing too much and one with too little, Tom chose the lesser.

lesser of two evils

the less bad thing of a pair of bad things. I didn't like either politician, so I voted for the lesser of two evils. Given the options of going out with someone I don't like and staying home and watching a boring television program, I chose the lesser of the two evils and watched television.

See also: evil, two

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the lesser of two evils  also a lesser evil

the less unpleasant of two choices, neither of which are good I suppose I regard the Democratic candidate as the lesser of two evils.

See also: evil, two

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the lesser of two evils

the less unpleasant of two choices, neither of which are good Sometimes I don't like either of the candidates, so I just try to choose the lesser of the two evils.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form a lesser evil: I don't like her, I just think of her as the lesser evil.

See also: evil, two