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 What will be the nefarious next move from the cunning Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung) and the casually cruel Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao)? —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026 Naturally, more nefarious forces are at play that threaten his big break. —Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026 The brief also argues that the government cast ordinary actions that a judge takes as nefarious criminal conduct and that the case should not have been charged as a felony. —John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026 Lastly, the rise of AI systems and applications are uniquely well positioned to crack down crypto illicit activities, as AI systems can also operate globally on a 24/7 basis to keep pace with bad actors seeking to leverage crypto for nefarious purposes. —Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 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
  • Athena does a sapphire evil-eye look that is super-duper polished.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Even all of us people who hated the evil empire of Brady-Bill Belichick can’t help but secretly respect this version of the Patriots.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of evil
Adjective
  • The British government’s designation of Palestine Action as a terror group has been deemed unlawful by London’s High Court.
    — Callum Sutherland, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Lawsuits hamper National Guard deployments Every deployment except the one in New Orleans has faced significant legal challenges, with multiple judges ruling the mobilizations unlawful.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • The long-term damage that an unqualified, incompetent, compromised or immoral — but superpowered — mayor can inflict on the city is too great.
    — Steven Falk, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Tourism dollars flowed in, even if the prettified Southern history being sold ignored the immoral plague that built its riches in the first place.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of immoral
Adjective
  • His father, who believes Sammie's music to be sinful, orders him to drop the guitar, but Sammie can't do it.
    — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Gettin’ sinful all of a sudden.
    — David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Definition of sinful
Adjective
  • Catherine’s brother Hindley, a vicious bully whose abuse is part of what drives Cathy and Heathcliff so closely together, is cut entirely, his role combined with Catherine’s father.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Everyone is fair game for her vicious tongue.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of vicious
Adjective
  • How heartbreaking, and how vile, that any adult claiming compassion would seek to imbue a child with that extreme allergy to their own self.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
  • The Diary again casts its eye far and wide for news, any news, that might distract us all from the vile toxicity emanating from Washington—make that Davos.
    — Chop Choppish Shop, Air Mail, 24 Jan. 2026
Definition of vile
Adjective
  • The activist also went full glam on her flight, looking radiant in bronzy makeup, complete with dark eyeliner, fluttery eyelashes, fluffy eyebrows, luminous skin, and glossy lips.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
  • More dark, romantic beauty inspiration.
    — Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • In 2006, ahead of the Turin Olympics, Vonn took a bad fall during downhill training and went to the hospital.
    — ANDREW DAMPF, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Attending a bad Super Bowl is the Super Bowl of communal experiences.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
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 15 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of nefarious for Spanish Speakers

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