Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Later we’ll hear a young oligarch say, while chuckling nefariously, “I have a banker’s personality. I love money!”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

The probe alleged that Powell was somehow acting nefariously in his oversight of the renovation at the Federal Reserve’s headquarters in D.C.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026

In a two-star review, the Telegraph's Robbie Collin called it a "nefariously lazy" adaptation that is little more than a "half-hearted parody of a whodunnit".

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2025

Reyes conveys Celie’s deep-feeling nature with grace, and then shows how that performance of empathy can be weaponized toward a nefariously selfish end.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2023

Here he began to run short, being not a little apprehensive, lest his Foes should triumph, and snatch from him that Life, which he had so long nefariously pampered.

From Reynard the Fox by Masefield, John