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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Recent Examples of nefarious
The findings — or lack thereof — have been disappointing for some on the online right, who hoped the Trump administration would vindicate conspiracy theories that Epstein was linked to a nefarious child trafficking plot and was murdered.
—
Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 8 July 2025
Step two: Defend against junk fees These nefarious fees are designed either to confuse or deceive consumers.
—Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 7 July 2025
These reusable drink-cover scrunchies are an easy solution for peace of mind by covering cups to block someone from slipping nefarious drugs inside.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
New in select theaters on streaming on premium video on demand, Off the Grid stars Duhamel as Guy, a brilliant scientist hiding out in the wild from a megalomaniac employer who wants to weaponize his mini cold fusion reactor for nefarious purposes.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 8 July 2025
Step two: Defend against junk fees These nefarious fees are designed either to confuse or deceive consumers.
—Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 7 July 2025
These reusable drink-cover scrunchies are an easy solution for peace of mind by covering cups to block someone from slipping nefarious drugs inside.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
New in select theaters on streaming on premium video on demand, Off the Grid stars Duhamel as Guy, a brilliant scientist hiding out in the wild from a megalomaniac employer who wants to weaponize his mini cold fusion reactor for nefarious purposes.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious
Adjective
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After an early tutorial sequence where players learn the ropes of controlling the powerful yet agile ape, the story introduces its antagonists: Void Company, an evil corporate mining operation hell-bent on creating a golden banana monopoly.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
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Idaho senators denounce 'evil attack' in Idaho that killed firefighters 12:44 PM EDT Zohran Mamdani not fully embraced by top New York Democrats Zohran Mamdani has not yet been fully embraced by top New York Democrats after his apparent victory in the New York City mayoral primary last week.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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The dad was charged with violating his probation, parental kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the news release.—
Kate Linderman
July 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 July 2025
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In a brief unsigned opinion, the Supreme Court said that the injunction issued by the district court was based on its view that Mr. Trump's executive order and directives from the Office of Management and Budget and Office of Personnel Management implementing that action are unlawful.—
July 8,
CBS News,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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The Mann Act, also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910, is a federal law that prohibits the interstate or foreign transportation of individuals for prostitution or other immoral activities.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
3 July 2025
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Swaggart, in July 1986, had accused a megachurch rival, New Orleans First Assembly of God Pastor Marvin Gorman, of committing immoral acts with a number of women over a period of years.—
Frank E. Lockwood,
Arkansas Online,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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And then, on top of it, I was born out of some affair like some illegitimate, sinful mistake?—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2025
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In New York, the story goes that the sloppily sinful sandwich on rye bread was named for the founder of New York’s Reuben Restaurant.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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The author presents a vicious takedown of George Washington.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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Stanton, demonstrating that there’s still plenty of power in his vicious swing, sent the pitch 401 feet the other way at 106.1 mph.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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The tweets, a vile departure from Elmo’s often inspiring and motivational social media cadence, were sent on July 13 and promptly taken down.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
14 July 2025
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Michael Kracker, the chair of the Erie County Republican Committee, posted the image on X, formerly Twitter, describing it as vile.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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The duo stepped out in complementary dark ensembles, with Hayek wearing one of her favorite footwear looks — hefty platform heels — with a black velvet dress.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
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Look for bronze or dark spots on the foliage or prominent purple veins.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Tom threw batting practice to Jackson, took Ethan down in the garage to vent and hit soft toss after a bad day at school.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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But there's also nothing worse than missing a connection that delays your trip by hours or even a full day.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nefarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nefarious. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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