Necessary Evil Definition

noun
Something undesirable that nevertheless must be tolerated in order to attain a desired end.
Webster's New World

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

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.
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Necessary Evil

Noun

Singular:
necessary evil
Plural:
necessary-evils

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necessary evil