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 Glenn Close, in full Cruella de Vil mode as a billionaire agro-magnate who wants to take over Animal Farm for her own nefarious ends, drives a Cybertruck-esque SUV. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025 The glasses were later given to Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) by Parker before being retrieved once his nefarious plans were known. Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025 Millions of low-cost devices for media streaming, in-vehicle entertainment, and video projection are infected with malware that turns consumer networks into platforms for distributing malware, concealing nefarious communications, and performing other illicit activities, the FBI has warned. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025 The show follows Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Inspector, Donny ‘Fitz’ Fitzpatrick, who digs too deeply into a local politician’s nefarious activity, and is exiled to work in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious
Adjective
  • In Twin Peaks, Deputy Chief Hawk and Sheriff Frank Truman—filling in for ailing brother Frank—work on following a lead phoned in by an ailing Log Lady, while Richard Horne, son of Audrey Horne and Cooper’s evil double, spiraling into depravity and addiction, kills a child in a hit-and-run.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 20 June 2025
  • Unfortunately, those lofty first-act ambitions give way to something much more formulaic, as Buzz joins forces with the usual ragtag bunch of misfits to battle the evil Emperor Zurg.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • She was convicted in 1995 on nine charges, including conspiracy to remove body parts and unlawful authorization of the removal of eyes, hearts, lungs and brains from corpses.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 16 June 2025
  • Nonetheless, this latest ruling may embolden such plaintiffs in California and elsewhere to assert unlawful discrimination claims with greater confidence and, perhaps, greater frequency.
    Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • In the age of print, Hamburg was the birthplace of magazine publishing, and Paris the birthplace of the literary review and the gossip rag; but restless, immoral London was where the advice column first transformed people’s private lives into object lessons for ethical behavior.
    Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
  • The film gathers immoral cops, ruthless women and corrupt politicians to complete the world of populist cinema based in hinterlands of India.
    Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • There’s a sinful sort of glee in watching all of this unfold, knowing that the same mournful character might be the next one to die.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • The Republican tax bill could push food assistance in Colorado into a vicious cycle of funding cuts, increasing mistakes in determining eligibility and further funding cuts to punish those mistakes, Gov. Jared Polis warned in a letter to congressional leaders Friday.
    Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 16 June 2025
  • Plaschke delivers a vicious uppercut to his opponent.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Baloncesto Superior Nacional league announced Tuesday that Cousins was kicked off the Mets de Guaynabo after a vile gesture toward a fan, grabbing his genitals to mock the fan as the fan flipped both his middle fingers.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2025
  • Today's extradition is a giant step forward in holding the defendant accountable for his unspeakably reprehensible and vile efforts to spread fear, chaos, and hate.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • My challenge was to make the sequel scarier, and darker.
    Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Prioritize sleep quality: Creating a consistent bedtime routine and keeping your bedroom cool and dark may help improve sleep.
    Stella Bard, Health, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Trump has lauded Israel's strikes and previously warned of much worse to come unless Iran quickly accepts the sharp downgrading of its nuclear program the U.S. has demanded in talks that had been due to resume on June 15.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 16 June 2025
  • Bane is a 41 percent career 3-point shooter who, in his five prior seasons, never shot worse than 38.1 percent from deep in a season.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nefarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nefarious. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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