English-Spanish translations for necessary evil

• mal necesario
  Puede que sean un mal necesario, pero son un mal a fin de cuentas. They may be a necessary evil, but they are an evil.
  Ha de ser más bien un mal necesario. It is surely more of a necessary evil.
  ¡No queremos ser en absoluto un mal necesario! We have no wish to be 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