as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
the chaste heroines and nefarious villains of old-time melodramas
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Recent Examples of nefarious
Trump’s base is convinced that there is nefarious material implicating mostly, if not solely, Democrats just around the corner, even if there are piles of instances that show Trump palling around with Epstein.
—
Philip Elliott, Time, 18 July 2025
The public turns its back on Superman, however, when the megalomaniacal Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) executes a plot that suggests the Man of Steel has nefarious plans for Earth.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
The vernacular of Combs’s activities comes across as kinky, not immediately nefarious.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 July 2025
Though the reasons for the forces behind the nefarious organization are made more plain in the last two episodes, the show’s pacing stalls out, losing the intense momentum that had been so carefully built until this point.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Philip Elliott, Time, 18 July 2025
The public turns its back on Superman, however, when the megalomaniacal Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) executes a plot that suggests the Man of Steel has nefarious plans for Earth.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
The vernacular of Combs’s activities comes across as kinky, not immediately nefarious.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 July 2025
Though the reasons for the forces behind the nefarious organization are made more plain in the last two episodes, the show’s pacing stalls out, losing the intense momentum that had been so carefully built until this point.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious
Adjective
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From the twins and their parents to evil fiancées and housekeepers, the characters have gained a cult following since their release, with some fans using them as inspiration for their outfits, summer mood boards, and interior design.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 July 2025
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Historically, antisemitic conspiracy theories have revolved around the idea that a shadowy and evil Jewish elite secretly controls the world, and ritualistic child abuse is a common trope within them.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
First, opponents argued that the rule was unlawful and that Congress would need to amend the statute to implement the changes proposed by DHS in its rule.—
Stuart Anderson,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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He was arrested at 12:22 a.m. Friday for misdemeanor unlawful speeding and driving under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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Basically, how others will judge you for moving on, if you’ll be seen as incompetent or immoral for quitting.—
Vicki Salemi,
Boston Herald,
20 July 2025
-
With his opaque history and sources of wealth, his super-powerful friends and his immoral appetites, Epstein became the perfect avatar for our at-home Hollywood heroism.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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Growing up in rural Tennessee, my grandfather learned that certain activities — card playing, smoking, imbibing — were sinful.—
Peter Rowe,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 July 2025
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The therapy was the most spiritual, calming and sinful experience of Ingrid’s life.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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Over time, this can create a vicious cycle where poor sleep and chronic anxiety feed into each other, creating a loop that damages your well-being.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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There was a scary moment later in the third quarter when Charlotte’s James Banks III hit Sacramento’s Dylan Cardwell with a vicious elbow to the face.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Arriving in London, Jess has a chance encounter with Felix (Will Sharpe), a broke musician, in a particularly vile pub toilet.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
17 July 2025
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The tweets, a vile departure from Elmo’s often inspiring and motivational social media cadence, were sent on July 13 and promptly taken down.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Transformed into a swan by the evil sorcerer Rothbart, Odette and Siegfried's love faces an impossible battle against dark forces.—
Maggie Menderski,
The Courier-Journal,
22 July 2025
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Number two, male, white, tall, gray hair, dark eyes.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Earlier this month, employees at the Environmental Protection Agency, filed their own letter, with even worse results; 140 of them were placed on administrative leave.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
22 July 2025
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The alternative — keeping him around, highly paid and not played — would have been worse.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nefarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nefarious. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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