nefarious

[ ni-fair-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. extremely wicked or villainous; iniquitous:

   a nefarious plot.

   Synonyms: execrable, atrocious, vile, infamous, heinous, flagitious

   Antonyms: honest, good

nefarious

/ nɪˈfɛərɪəs /

adjective

1. evil; wicked; sinful

Derived Forms

• neˈfariously, adverb
• neˈfariousness, noun

Other Words From

• ne·fari·ous·ly adverb
• ne·fari·ous·ness noun
• unne·fari·ous adjective
• unne·fari·ous·ly adverb
• unne·fari·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nefarious¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin nefārius “wicked, vile,” equivalent to nefās “offense against divine or moral law” (from ne-, negative prefix + fās “law, right”) + -ius -ious

Word History and Origins

Origin of nefarious¹

C17: from Latin nefārius, from nefās unlawful deed, from nē not + fās divine law

Example Sentences

However, many online immediately used the story to suggest nefarious activities were taking place.

From BBC

Even in politics, the foundational role of protecting free speech is the promotion of free ideas, not to protect a nefarious publisher’s monopoly.

From Salon

That means Trump could still exploit a day-of Republican advantage in turnout — if there is one — to once again claim a premature victory and potentially suggest there is something nefarious about the count continuing.

From Salon

After the March primary, citizens appeared before the Orange County Board of Supervisors for an hour to allege illegal voting, political corruption and other “nefarious behavior.”

From Los Angeles Times

Farrow talks about her acting career as though she were recalling a Charlotte Bronte novel about an insecure heroine surviving a series of dangerous scrapes and nefarious characters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• heinous
• horrible
• odious
• outrageous
• shameful
• vicious
• vile