NEFARIOUS Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

nefarious

adjective

ni-ˈfer-ē-əs

Definition of nefarious next

as in evil

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable the chaste heroines and nefarious villains of old-time melodramas

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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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of nefarious Another Texas man has been arrested in relation to the missing person case of Suzanne Clark Simpson, as new evidence suggests Simpson's husband and his business partner had nefarious motives. —

Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Oct. 2024 If this were 25 years ago and Beanie Sigel was coming to your front door, uninvited, and accompanied by a crew of about a dozen, maybe his intentions would be more on the nefarious side. —

Shaheem Reid, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2024 Either the region had become addicted to sparklingly clean kitchens or a more nefarious pattern had been established. —

Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 He's supposed to take it easy but instead partners with a young Oregon cop (Tye Sheridan) to tackle a neo-Nazi group with nefarious plans and a charismatic leader (Nicholas Hoult). —

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nefarious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious

Adjective

The story of a farmer tasked with protecting a magic baby from an evil queen is not exactly the most original story in the world, but that hasn’t stopped this from becoming a classic, with Warwick Davis as Willow Ufgood and Val Kilmer waving a sword around.

Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024
The plot centers on Scott Pilgrim, a Canadian indie rock slacker who falls in love with a girl named Ramona Flowers and then has to fight her seven evil exes in video game-style battles.

Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 20 Nov. 2024