felonious

adjective

fe·​lo·​ni·​ous fə-ˈlō-nē-əs 

1

archaic : very evil : villainous

2

: of, relating to, or having the nature of a felony

felonious assault

feloniously adverb

feloniousness noun

Synonyms

• criminal
• illegal
• illegitimate
• illicit
• lawless
• unlawful
• wrongful

Examples of felonious in a Sentence

the commission found that while the senator's actions were ethically questionable, they were not felonious

Recent Examples on the Web

She has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault), first-degree vulnerable adult abuse and assault or assault and battery. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Jones-Ogletree, who also goes by Darnell Ogletree, is charged with murder, felonious assault and abduction. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

Darnell Jones is also charged with felonious assault and abduction, according to court records. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2025

Marybeth, still uncomfortable with the arrangement between her department and the felonious accountant, does so reluctantly. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for felonious

• erroneous
• harmonious
• peroneus
• polonius
• acrimonious
• ceremonious
• inharmonious
• parsimonious
• sanctimonious
• unceremonious

Legal Definition

felonious

adjective

fe·​lo·​ni·​ous fə-ˈlō-nē-əs 

: of, relating to, or constituting a felony

felonious sale of cocaine

feloniously adverb