English-German translations for necessary evil

• notwendiges Übel das
  Sicherlich ist er eher ein notwendiges Übel. It is surely more of a necessary evil.
  Wir haben keine Lust, ein notwendiges Übel zu sein! We have no wish to be a necessary evil!
  Kinder zu gebären und aufzuziehen wird noch immer als notwendiges Übel betrachtet. Childbirth and bringing up a child are still seen as a necessary evil.

Definition of necessary evil

• An unfavorable thing that must be done or accepted, especially because the available alternative courses of action or inaction would be worse

Examples

• Another punishing round of chemo is a necessary evil if Lisa is to have a fighting chance against the cancer.
• My boss is a real piece of work, but my kids make keeping this job a necessary evil.

Related words

• necessary
• unnecessary
• necessary condition
• necessary stool
• necessary and sufficient condition
• necessary and sufficient
• if necessary
• where necessary
• absolutely necessary