nefarious

adjective

ni-ˈfer-ē-əs How to pronounce nefarious (audio)
Definition of nefariousnext
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable the chaste heroines and nefarious villains of old-time melodramas

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective nefarious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of nefarious are corrupt, degenerate, iniquitous, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

Where would corrupt be a reasonable alternative to nefarious?

While in some cases nearly identical to nefarious, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When could degenerate be used to replace nefarious?

In some situations, the words degenerate and nefarious are roughly equivalent. However, degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When can iniquitous be used instead of nefarious?

The words iniquitous and nefarious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

When might vicious be a better fit than nefarious?

The meanings of vicious and nefarious largely overlap; however, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

When would villainous be a good substitute for nefarious?

While the synonyms villainous and nefarious are close in meaning, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nefarious Whether these changes are intentional or nefarious isn’t necessarily the question. —Mika Newton, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 Given that DeSantis graduated from both Yale and Harvard, to issue such an order implies either illness or deeply nefarious intent. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2025 This isn’t to say that the platform isn’t nefarious. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 7 May 2025 An unnamed American intelligence agency oversees the world with staggering precision, never allowing a nefarious actor to elude its vision for too long. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious
  1. evil
  2. unlawful
  3. immoral
  4. sinful
  5. vicious
  6. vile
  7. dark
  8. bad
Adjective
  • Rakshasa’s evil beast fits thematically with the park’s nearby 1976 Demon looping coaster.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
  • Charlie Hunnam plays Arthur, who must rise to glory Gladiator style after his evil uncle (Jude Law) wrests away control of the kingdom following his dad’s killing.
    — Will Leitch, Vulture, 27 May 2025
Definition of evil
Adjective
  • In 2022, Hemphill pleaded guilty to unlawful parading, a misdemeanor charge that got her two months in prison, three years of probation and a $500 fine.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 4 June 2025
  • The man faces one count each of first-degree assault or attempted serious physical injury, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest or detention by fleeing, and second-degree domestic assault.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • Kudos to Bruce Springsteen for practicing his First Amendment rights to rail against the corrupt policies and immoral actions of the Trump administration.
    — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025
  • Independent jurors can blunt the force of immoral laws and arbitrary prosecutions by refusing to subject their neighbors to unjust laws or overtly cruel punishment.
    — Mike Fox, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Definition of immoral
Adjective
  • The sinful acts on display here are a direct result of that disenfranchisement, an effort to reclaim what is still owed, forty acres and a mule, with interest.
    — Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Pope Gregory, believing these demons to be an indication of Magdalene’s excessively sinful past, identified her as an unnamed woman in Luke who wipes Jesus’ feet with her hair.
    — Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of sinful
Adjective
  • There are other objects of worship from the days when Japan’s Christians had to hide from vicious persecution, including a ceramic bottle of holy water from Nakaenoshima, an island where Hidden Christians were martyred in the 1620s.
    — Foster Klug, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
  • Years before the Kendrick Lamar and Drake imbroglio, Pusha T shared his own vicious diss track against the Canadian hip-hop superstar.
    — Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 3 June 2025
Definition of vicious
Adjective
  • Finally, the mint julep is a vile almost undrinkable beverage.
    — John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
  • Along with receiving vulgar comments in person and people taking her picture on campus, the 18-year-old has received vile and sexist messages after her phone number was posted online.
    — David Chiu, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of vile
Adjective
  • Lights with a lower temperature tend to be a warmer, more yellow shade that may look dim in dark garages.
    — Molly Blanco, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025
  • Both were crucial mental health resources during that dark time, and both found a wider embrace online for their niche comic sensibilities.
    — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • That cartilage injury was worse than expected, and Jiménez could miss all or most of this season rehabbing.
    — David O'Brien, New York Times, 5 June 2025
  • Athletics manager Mark Kotsay has continued to search for answers to cure what ails the Athletics during their historically bad run of losing in West Sacramento.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
Definition of bad

Browse Nearby Words

needy
nefarious
negate
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Cite this Entry

“Nefarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nefarious. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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