as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable the chaste heroines and nefarious villains of old-time melodramas

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective nefarious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of nefarious are corrupt, degenerate, iniquitous, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

Where would corrupt be a reasonable alternative to nefarious?

While in some cases nearly identical to nefarious, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When could degenerate be used to replace nefarious?

In some situations, the words degenerate and nefarious are roughly equivalent. However, degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When can iniquitous be used instead of nefarious?

The words iniquitous and nefarious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

When might vicious be a better fit than nefarious?

The meanings of vicious and nefarious largely overlap; however, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

When would villainous be a good substitute for nefarious?

While the synonyms villainous and nefarious are close in meaning, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nefarious In the film, Louis-Dreyfus’ villainous character has positioned a number of MCU loners and rejects to kill each other for her own nefarious reasons. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2025 In the clip, Eva pleads with her mother to scrap the nefarious plot, only prompting Leslie to dig her heels into even firmer soil. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 30 Apr. 2025 Louis-Dreyfus’ villainous character has positioned a number of MCU loners and rejects to kill each other for her own nefarious reasons. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025 As many high-profile hacks and data leaks have shown, private data can easily be mishandled and exploited for nefarious purposes. Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious
Adjective
  • Will the company itself go rogue and opt to use AGI for evil deeds?
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Two waste companies denied unlawful dumping, with one saying state law allows compostable material to be disposed on farmland and other properties for beneficial use.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
  • The vehicle eventually leaves the area after the Worcester Police Department arrived and declared an unlawful assembly, threatening arrest.
    Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Altering Medicaid in any way that decreases services, decreases funding to the states, or builds roadblocks to care is immoral and against Christian values.
    Dr. James W. Cox-Chapman, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2025
  • Under him, juvenile justice is unjust, and the department has been spending in ways that are immoral and not proper accounting or spending of taxes.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • The sinful acts on display here are a direct result of that disenfranchisement, an effort to reclaim what is still owed, forty acres and a mule, with interest.
    Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Pope Gregory, believing these demons to be an indication of Magdalene’s excessively sinful past, identified her as an unnamed woman in Luke who wipes Jesus’ feet with her hair.
    Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But even when locked in a tense, deadly standoff with the vicious Barbie, Moulin doesn’t break, and his courage and silence helps lead to the liberation of France, while leaving behind a new spirit of strength and resistance.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 10 May 2025
  • Bone Tomahawk Year: 2015 Runtime: 2h 11m Director: S. Craig Zahler S. Craig Zahler has become one of the most divisive filmmakers working today after three vicious, brutal movies — Bone Tomahawk, Brawl in Cell Block 99, and Dragged Across Concrete.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • Twain’s early writing and private letters and diaries contain vile language and sentiments.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
  • The Imperial City Sewers you’re meant to traverse while learning the basics of the game look hideous and vile.
    Jamal Michel, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • All Fair remembers of that dark time in her life was having ongoing headaches, throwing up and struggling with her balance.
    Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • Suddenly, somebody invented a machine and offered them a new deal: Work in this stinky dark factory or starve.
    Karim Doumar, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • In Your Lawn Clover isn't a bad plant to have growing amongst the grass.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
  • The Celtics never have a bad defender on the court.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 11 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nefarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nefarious. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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