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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Nadi Jabari, 46, was charged with false personation, unlawful use of a blue light and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
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The indictment, handed up by a federal grand jury in Maryland, charged Bolton with eight counts of unlawful transmission of national defense information as well as 10 counts of unlawful retention of national defense information.
Adjective
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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.
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The artist wrote that keeping silent on this kind of behavior is akin to turning a blind eye to immoral behavior.
Adjective
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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.
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Bowing down and worshiping an idol is sinful.
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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Tourism and city officials say that marketplace channels festival foot traffic directly to Black entrepreneurs and helps keep dollars circulating in local neighborhoods long after the stages go dark.
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Jason kept the look casual in a light blue graphic T-shirt, white shorts, a baseball cap and dark sunglasses.
Adjective
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Are those still your worst fears?
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While a higher tracker error is not bad in and of itself, most investors become uncomfortable when their portfolio acts so differently from the index.
Cite this Entry
“Nefarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nefarious. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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