nefarious
[ ni-fair-ee-uhs ]
/ nɪˈfɛər i əs /
adjective
extremely wicked or villainous; iniquitous: a nefarious plot.
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Origin of nefarious
1595–1605; < Latin nefārius wicked, vile, equivalent to nefās offense against divine or moral law (ne- negative prefix + fās law, right) + -ius -ious, with intervocalic s > r
SYNONYMS FOR nefarious
OTHER WORDS FROM nefarious
Words nearby nefarious
neenah, neencephalon, neep, neet, nef, nefarious, nefazodone, nefertem, nefertiti, nefud desert, neg
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for nefariousness
Mary gratified her eager mind by careful studies in this chosen line of nefariousness.
Within the Law|Marvin DanaThe nefariousness of the scheme thus revealed infuriated Barmouth.
The Intrusions of Peggy|Anthony HopeThere was a nefariousness about the new suggestion that proved very attractive in Blentmouth.
Tristram of Blent|Anthony Hope
British Dictionary definitions for nefariousness
nefarious
/ (nɪˈfɛərɪəs) /
adjective
evil; wicked; sinful
Derived forms of nefarious
nefariously, adverbnefariousness, nounWord Origin for nefarious
C17: from Latin nefārius, from nefās unlawful deed, from nē not + fās divine law
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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