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. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel:

   Today we are going to win ... It will also be an important victory for Venezuela, i think the Americans in their arrogance have been wrong. People are waking up when they see these nefarious practices and realize what is behind this show.

2. Gerald Gurney:

   I can safely say that the scope of the 20-year UNC fraud scandal easily takes the prize for the largest and most nefarious scandal in the history of NCAA enforcement. The depth and breadth of the scheme -- involving counselors, coaches, academic administrators, faculty, athletic administrators, etc. -- eclipses any previous case.

3. David Fisman:

   One could change a case definition for sort of nefarious reasons to create the illusion that the epidemic is getting better. In this case, China did exactly the opposite, they broadened their case definition when they needed to, in order not to miss cases, and now that things are under control they're narrowing it down again to make it consistent to easier to keep track of what's really going on.

4. 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.

5. California Rep. Jackie Speier.FBI:

   I am anxious to rebut allegations that I had any improper or nefarious contact with any agent of the Russia state based on facts -- not misleading and salacious headlines, i am willing to appear voluntarily if the committee isn't looking for the headline of issuing a subpoena.