nefarious

[ ni-fair-ee-uhs ]

/ nɪˈfɛər i əs /

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See synonyms for: nefarious / nefariousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

extremely wicked or villainous; iniquitous: a nefarious plot.

OTHER WORDS FOR nefarious

flagitious, heinous, infamous; vile, atrocious, execrable.

See synonyms for nefarious on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR nefarious

good, honest.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM nefarious

ne·far·i·ous·ly, adverbne·far·i·ous·ness, nounun·ne·far·i·ous, adjectiveun·ne·far·i·ous·ly, adverb

un·ne·far·i·ous·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nefarious in a sentence

As the city is attacked by nefarious forces, five other avatars band together to save it and its people.
The most 2020 books of 2020|Angela Haupt|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
For example, images purporting to show people moving ballots in nefarious ways have gone viral—one turned out to be a poll worker moving ballots in an official capacity, and another turned out to be a photographer transporting equipment.
Five election misinformation campaigns to avoid resharing|By Starbird, West, & DiResta/The Conversation|November 6, 2020|Popular-Science
That would also cut down on more nefarious suppression tactics, such as reducing the number of polling stations in minority neighborhoods.
9 questions about 2020’s record-breaking early vote, answered|Rani Molla|October 30, 2020|Vox
Facebook’s verification process hasn’t stopped every nefarious political ad scheme.
‘Wouldn’t make economic sense’: Despite hyped targeting restrictions on 2020 political ads, few new limits are in place|jim cooper|October 12, 2020|Digiday

There’s also no indication that there was anything nefarious about it.
Kayleigh McEnany’s first post-debate briefing goes off the rails|Aaron Blake|October 1, 2020|Washington Post
It is these moments of consequenceless nefariousness that build a second image of the city.
Can Hollywood Rejuvenate Detroit and America’s Bankrupt Cities?|David Levesley|May 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mary gratified her eager mind by careful studies in this chosen line of nefariousness.
Within the Law|Marvin Dana
The nefariousness of the scheme thus revealed infuriated Barmouth.
The Intrusions of Peggy|Anthony Hope
Even judges of their party accord them legal security in their political nefariousness.
Bygones Worth Remembering, Vol. 1 (of 2)|George Jacob Holyoake
There was a nefariousness about the new suggestion that proved very attractive in Blentmouth.
Tristram of Blent|Anthony Hope

British Dictionary definitions for nefarious

nefarious

/ (nɪˈfɛərɪəs) /

adjective

evil; wicked; sinful

Derived forms of nefarious

nefariously, adverbnefariousness, noun

Word 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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

nefarious

OTHER WORDS FOR nefarious

OPPOSITES FOR nefarious

Origin of nefarious

OTHER WORDS FROM nefarious

Words related to nefarious

How to use nefarious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nefarious

Derived forms of nefarious

Word Origin for nefarious