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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 But that requires killing Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu), the seemingly unstoppable sorcerer with a nefarious plot to reshape the world who is also hunting the Cintran princess. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025 Every creative tool can be used in nefarious ways. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2025 In all, the facts should dash any worries of nefarious doctors inflating children with vast volumes of noxious concoctions. ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025 The town itself is also undergoing a massive urban re-development initiative led by Quasartico — which definitely reeks of gentrification and will probably be nefarious in the long run. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious
Adjective
  • The evil White Vision regains all of his previous memories and flies off by himself.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Then the evil grin loses its enthusiasm, gradually working its way to a toothless pucker.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The tort of battery, meaning unlawful and harmful physical contact, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, which refers to using extreme conduct to terrorize another, are potential claims.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Hoping to keep the Solar for All program on track, the group has asked a jury to declare the program's termination unlawful and issue an injunction requiring the EPA to reinstate the program.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike previous seasons, Dorothy never makes immoral choices.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • This is disgraceful and immoral.
    Armando Garcia, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • No one knows the cake’s origin, but people like to offer theories on its name: Some say the word devil is a nod to the sinful dark chocolate, reminiscent of devil’s food cake.
    Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025
  • In an important variation, medieval soldiers returning from war regularly spent an extended period of penance in monasteries – a recognition of Catholicism’s teaching that any war is inherently sinful.
    Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The worry with a dog like Chey is the fact they could be locked in a vicious cycle.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The show follows Ed Gein (Charlie Hunnam), an unassuming and odd man, working his family’s farm under the watchful eye of his hateful and vicious mother, Augusta (Laurie Metcalf).
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the season’s back half, neither its overloading of vile desecrations nor maudlin sentimentality adds anything that Monster hadn’t already established four episodes ago.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Koch’s vile conduct spawns a number of unnecessary fantasy sequences either brought on by the comics or wholly imagined by Ed.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Smithsonian Institution, which includes all the Smithsonian museums, plans to go dark after Saturday if the government shutdown continues beyond then, according to its website.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Polselli brings a painterly gaze to scenes of quiet dread, such as a figure gradually appearing out of thick brush as two women make their way home through dark woods.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The rapid escalation of trade tensions sank US stocks on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq recorded their worst day since April.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Investors are eyeing a stock market rebound after Friday’s trade war flare-up sent the S&P 500 to its worst loss since April.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Nefarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nefarious. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on nefarious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!