Synonyms for nefarious
nɪˈfɛər i əsne·far·i·ous

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:1.0 / 2 votes

1. nefariousadjective

   Synonyms:
   vicious, wicked, evil

2. nefariousadjective

   infamous for being wicked

   The nefarious wizard was known for burning people alive during his secret rituals.

   Synonyms:
   wicked, evil, vicious

3. nefariousadjective

   wicked or criminal

   The nefarious gangster was finally brought to justice.

   Synonyms:
   vicious, evil, wicked

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. nefarious

   Every criminal act is illegal or unlawful, but illegal or unlawful acts may not be criminal. Offenses against public law are criminal; offenses against private rights are merely illegal or unlawful. As a general rule, all acts punishable by fine or imprisonment or both, are criminal in view of the law. It is illegal for a man to trespass on another's land, but it is not criminal; the trespasser is liable to a civil suit for damages, but not to indictment, fine, or imprisonment. A felonious act is a criminal act of an aggravated kind, which is punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary or by death. A flagitious crime is one that brings public odium. Vicious refers to the indulgence of evil appetites, habits, or passions; vicious acts are not necessarily criminal, or even illegal; we speak of a vicious horse. That which is iniquitous, i. e., contrary to equity, may sometimes be done under the forms of law. Ingratitude is sinful, hypocrisy is wicked, but neither is punishable by human law; hence, neither is criminal or illegal. Compare SIN.

   Synonyms:
   abominable, criminal, culpable, felonious, flagitious, guilty, illegal, immoral, iniquitous, sinful, unlawful, vicious, vile, wicked, wrong

   Antonyms:
   innocent, just, lawful, legal, meritorious, moral, right, virtuous

Princeton's WordNetRate this synonym:0.0 / 0 votes

1. nefarious, villainousadjective

   extremely wicked

   "nefarious schemes"; "a villainous plot"; "a villainous band of thieves"

   Synonyms:
   villainous

   Antonyms:
   virtuous

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. nefariousadjective

   Synonyms:
   abominable, atrocious, detestable, execrable, iniquitous, scandalous, wicked, infamous, villanous, heinous, flagitious, very wicked

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 1 vote

1. nefariousadjective

   Synonyms:
   atrocious, flagitious, heinous

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "nefarious":

   heinous, evil, infamous, harmful, abominable, abhorrent

Suggested Resources

1. nefarious

   Song lyrics by nefarious -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by nefarious on the Lyrics.com website.

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How to use nefarious in a sentence?

1. Elizabeth Frantz -RRB- Sears:

   Are you going to look at the glass as half full or as half empty? Because if it’s half empty that’s a negative view of life, that’s where too many of our political leaders come from and all it does is serve their, I think, nefarious agenda to divide us and to say you’re a victim, you’re always going to be a victim, and the other people are the oppressors and so you need us.

2. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir:

   Now we have one less problem for the time being to deal with, with regards to Iran, we can now focus more intensely on the nefarious activities that Iran is engaged in in the region.

3. Monsignor Charles Pope:

   Facebook is entitled to do whatever they want, i just think it’s incredibly foolish on their part to try and people this way. I can understand if people have something ugly or nefarious or scurrilous in their name.

4. Bill Evanina:

   This shows the nefarious mindset of the Communist Party of China, to take advantage of a worldwide crisis like COVID, we put out an advisory to not only every American, but to hospitals, associationsand clinics.

5. Michael Kratsios:

   If political leaders at the state and local level better understood the magnitude of the risk and the fact that they were essentially doing things that didn't necessarily comply with the federal ban, my suspicion is that more action would be taken to stop this stuff, i don't think anyone is trying to do anything bad here. I don't think anyone is being nefarious.