nefarious

[ni-fair-ee-uhs]

adjective

1. extremely wicked or villainous; iniquitous.

   a nefarious plot.

   Synonyms: execrable, atrocious, vile, infamous, heinous, flagitious
   Antonyms: honest, good

nefarious

/ nɪˈfɛərɪəs /

adjective

1. evil; wicked; sinful

Other Word Forms

• nefariously adverb
• nefariousness noun
• unnefarious adjective
• unnefariously adverb
• unnefariousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nefarious¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin nefārius “wicked, vile,” equivalent to nefās “offense against divine or moral law” (from ne-, negative prefix + fās “law, right”) + -ius -ious

Word History and Origins

Origin of nefarious¹

C17: from Latin nefārius, from nefās unlawful deed, from nē not + fās divine law

Example Sentences

The greatest problem with this nefarious pact is that much of it sounds on the surface to be reasonable, if not desirable.

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At a time when so many relationships begin in the digital world, it can be easy to fall victim to someone with nefarious intentions.

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He called on the CEOs of Discord and other networks to “explain what actions they will take to ensure their platforms are not exploited for nefarious purposes.”

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Dr Matthews, also known as the "Toss Master", told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland that judges heard "rumours and murmurings of some nefarious deeds".

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If this were a mob movie, all sorts of nefarious thoughts would come to mind.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• heinous 
• horrible 
• odious 
• outrageous 
• shameful 
• vicious 
• vile