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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Evil takes root: Darkness rises in The Rings of Power season 2 Bower is no stranger to the world of fantasy, having played the nefarious Vecna/001 on Stranger Things, Gellert Grindelwald in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises, and a member of the Volturi in the Twilight saga. EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025 Follow the never nefarious writer of this newsletter on social media @jimreineking. Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025 Prominent members of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party -- which has long made unfounded accusations of foreign influence in national elections -- seized on it as evidence of a nefarious U.S. plot. Anant Gupta and Sammy Westfall The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 23 Feb. 2025 The Trump administration compounded this nefarious act by getting the private sector to follow its lead. Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious
Adjective
  • Hot on the trail of a new brood of evil Mogwai, our heroes journey deep into the American West, coming up against new supernatural creatures and picking up a few mysterious characters along the way.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Fans have long waited to see how the show, produced by Skybound Entertainment, adapts this massive event from Kirkman's comics, which sees Angstrom (Sterling K. Brown) assemble an army of evil Marks from alternate dimensions to lay siege to Earth.
    Nick Romano, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Alsup’s order is a temporary measure that requires OPM to notify agencies that its directive was unlawful.
    Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Their actions have sparked numerous lawsuits, and on Thursday, a federal judge in California found that the mass firings of probationary employees were likely unlawful.
    Kristin Brown, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Under Taliban rule, morality laws are strictly enforced, and activities considered immoral or against Islamic principles—such as pornography, adultery, or LGBTQ+ content—are harshly punished.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Some view his proposal to take over Gaza as outlandish or immoral, and are no fans of Israel’s right-wing government.
    Katie Glueck, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Michelle Yeoh Yeoh may be in her villain era, but there's nothing sinful about her Louvre look.
    Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The dominant Christian theology of the Middle Ages held that wealth was inherently sinful in a world where most people toiled in terrible poverty.
    Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • More than 80 women went public with horrific tales of his brutal, coercive and punishing tactics, including launching vicious, career-crippling smear campaigns against those who eluded him, from Mira Sorvino to Ashley Judd.
    Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Rushdie has since spoken out about the stabbing Rushdie, 77, testified in the Chautauqua County, New York trial and detailed the vicious attack that upended his life.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • As are the people supporting or justifying these vile acts of terrorism.
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2025
  • And for anyone who's forgotten just how vile Whitfield is, the next scene serves as a nasty reminder.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While it’s been nearly a decade since Markle was seen on the small screen, Rachel and her wardrobe remain as relevant as ever—especially with dark academia trending in fashion.
    Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Los Angeles and San Diego, which have missed out on more than 5 inches of typical rain since October, should see soaking rain after dark.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The state of our budget and our debt is bad for the country and bad for working families.
    Charlotte Alter, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The Browns are coming off a 3-14 season, their worst since a 0-16 campaign in 2017, Garrett's rookie year.
    Ryan Morik, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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