as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
the chaste heroines and nefarious villains of old-time melodramas
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Recent Examples of nefarious
Amazingly, Richard Nixon, the most nefarious American political personality of the 1970s, appears to be making a comeback, at least online.
—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
However, Shane discovers that Seth Plummer (Thieriot) isn't up to anything nefarious.
—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
These are just underlying stylistic facts of how the teams play, not some nefarious plot to favor a big and important market such as New York.
—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Some residents have worried the mysterious explorers captured on video were up to something nefarious.
—
ABC News,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
However, Shane discovers that Seth Plummer (Thieriot) isn't up to anything nefarious.
—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
These are just underlying stylistic facts of how the teams play, not some nefarious plot to favor a big and important market such as New York.
—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Some residents have worried the mysterious explorers captured on video were up to something nefarious.
—
ABC News,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious
Adjective
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There is so much evil and suffering in the world, so much conniving and malicious intent, and the self is, at least, a familiar foe.
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When the monsters reveal an evil agenda that goes beyond becoming movie stars, the Minions are forced to battle them to save the world.
Adjective
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Kayden Bordley, 19, faces one count each of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action, according to a Jackson County charging document.
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The hours-long pandemonium involved some teenaged children and young adults throwing mortars, fireworks and more at those who crowded about and at police officers, a grocery store getting merchandise stolen and an unlawful assembly declared.
Adjective
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Court records show that 60-year-old Bradley Kyle Martin, of Dearborn Heights, is charged with using a computer or internet to communicate with another person to commit a crime and accosting children for immoral purposes.
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These monsters—its antitheses—constitute that part of our nature that urges us to be sensible and strong, and that inclines us to see the life drive as trivial, weak, sentimental and immoral.
Adjective
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Critics also have challenged the report’s characterization of cases involving women, contending these were consensual affairs that were sinful but not abusive.
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Naim and his overly anxious single mom (Mia Wasikowska) attend rote church services in which the pastor looks to exorcise the LGBTQ+ from sinful boys who like boys and girls who like girls.
Adjective
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This vicious machine chewed him up and spit him out in predictable fashion.
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The mood changed a bit when Tab Ramos took a vicious elbow to the side of his head and fractured his skull.
Adjective
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Powerful, rich people filled the lawn to watch a violent sport that ended with a vile and racist comment.
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That person is referring to heavyweight Josh Hokit, who is facing widespread backlash for making a vile joke about former first lady Michelle Obama after winning his match over Derrick Lewis.
Adjective
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As its name suggests, the product is formulated with skin care superstar retinol to smooth fine lines and crow’s feet and brighten dark circles.
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El Floridita and Sloppy Joe’s, tourist destinations made famous by American novelist Ernest Hemingway, sat dark and shuttered.
Adjective
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That if you were deemed, as an enslaved person, if you were deemed troublesome or in some way unwanted, you would literally be sold down the river from the more northern states to the deeper south where you would potentially be treated even worse.
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Offer Real Value, Not Leftovers Most product bundles fail not because the idea is bad but because the execution misses what consumers actually want.
Cite this Entry
“Nefarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nefarious. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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