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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nefarious
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
Back then, this information was a literal document, something that could be tangibly stored in a safe space and kept away from any nefarious or ill-intentioned parties.
—
William Jones,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Be it getting hit by a car, taken by predators, or snatched up for nefarious reasons like being used for dog fights.
—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
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
Back then, this information was a literal document, something that could be tangibly stored in a safe space and kept away from any nefarious or ill-intentioned parties.
—
William Jones,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Be it getting hit by a car, taken by predators, or snatched up for nefarious reasons like being used for dog fights.
—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious
Adjective
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With some assistance from the bounty hunter Lobo (Jason Momoa), Kara and Ruthye track down Krem and his evil Brigands.
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Load was a Number One seller in 1996, and its comelier evil twin, ReLoad, repeated the feat a year and a half later.
Adjective
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Jazzlyn Johnson, a spokesperson for Johnson, said in an email that Sanchez-Munoz had been charged with one count of second-degree felony murder, five counts of unlawful use of a weapon and five counts of armed criminal action.
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The policies Goode violated include unlawful harassment discrimination policy, professional conduct, code of conduct and mobile data access.
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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That’s still high, but moves downward mean less chance of a vicious cycle where expectations for higher inflation drive changes in behavior that create higher inflation.
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That’s still high, but moves downward mean less chance of a vicious cycle where expectations for higher inflation drive changes in behavior that create higher inflation.
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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The top-of-the-line chef’s kitchen sports metallic cabinetry paired with dark marble countertops and backsplashes.
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These include rolled or folded leaf blades, a dark or blue tinge to the foliage, or lingering footprints after walking on the lawn.
Adjective
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In two randomized trials conducted by Stanford economist Nick Bloom, for example, workers reported improved mental health, not worse.
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Heavy rain was bad enough, but lightning in the area is, obviously, nothing to be trifled with.
Cite this Entry
“Nefarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nefarious. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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