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
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
The data managed by 23andMe could eventually be used in any number of negative or nefarious ways, from discrimination to executing a sophisticated scam.
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025
When Kelley’s narrator finds tall and lanky Sylvia, he is so taken with her – and her delicious tomatoes – that he’s thrown off guard and has trouble asking about the nefarious business.
—Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr. 2025
Consider True Romance, the second of Kilmer’s three collaborations with the cult action director Tony Scott—which features one of his most nefarious characters, despite the brevity of the part.
—Beatrice Loayza, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
The programmatic landscape is such a complex environment that excluding questionable content or nefarious actors is nearly an impossible task.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Usa Today, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025
When Kelley’s narrator finds tall and lanky Sylvia, he is so taken with her – and her delicious tomatoes – that he’s thrown off guard and has trouble asking about the nefarious business.
—Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr. 2025
Consider True Romance, the second of Kilmer’s three collaborations with the cult action director Tony Scott—which features one of his most nefarious characters, despite the brevity of the part.
—Beatrice Loayza, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
The programmatic landscape is such a complex environment that excluding questionable content or nefarious actors is nearly an impossible task.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious
Adjective
-
While the practice of using haint blue to ward off evil spirits might not be as common, the color has bled into the mainstream, with major paint companies like Sherwin-Williams and PPG Industries, Inc selling paint inspired by the shade.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The royal palace is infested with evil spirits and one of them has taken hold of the young prince.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The lawsuit will argue that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China is unlawful.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The suit will argue that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which grants the president increased powers during an economic emergency, to impose tariffs is unlawful and requires congressional approval.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Regardless of what transpired between the two cast members, on or off screen, Aspen was unfairly portrayed as an immoral character.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Essence,
11 Apr. 2025
-
We are limited to enforcing the law, not policing immoral behavior.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Driven by a religious mandate to purify society by stopping sinful behavior, the AFMRS’s missionaries provided direct outreach to low-income areas.—
Jenna Deep,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Here's the list of least-to-most sinful states, according to WalletHub: TRAVELERS FLOCK TO TOP RELIGIOUS LANDMARKS DEEMED 'MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE' (iStock) 50.—
Andrea Margolis,
Fox News,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This was a vicious weaponization of your government.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Employees losing jobs because companies will lay off workers to off-set the expense of tariffs will also mean fewer customers buying goods and services, creating a vicious cycle that depresses both corporate revenues and economic growth.—
Solange Charas,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The imitation Punisher logo on Cole’s bullet was no act of flattery, but the most vile of insults.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Fans, some of them little kids parroting what their parents were saying, called him vile names.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Editor’s tip: Niacinamide is a multitasker that blurs the look of dark spots, evens your skin tone, and balances your complexion.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
15 Apr. 2025
-
And so by some sociologists, camp is thought to be this form of dark humor serving as a coping mechanism to historical marginalization.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That means more time for Rojas, who has shown more bad than good to begin this season.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Thankfully, the kittens were discovered and rescued right in time before something worse fell on them.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nefarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nefarious. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share