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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Recent Examples of nefarious
Whether these changes are intentional or nefarious isn’t necessarily the question.
—
Mika Newton, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Given that DeSantis graduated from both Yale and Harvard, to issue such an order implies either illness or deeply nefarious intent.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2025
This isn’t to say that the platform isn’t nefarious.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 7 May 2025
An unnamed American intelligence agency oversees the world with staggering precision, never allowing a nefarious actor to elude its vision for too long.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Mika Newton, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Given that DeSantis graduated from both Yale and Harvard, to issue such an order implies either illness or deeply nefarious intent.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2025
This isn’t to say that the platform isn’t nefarious.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 7 May 2025
An unnamed American intelligence agency oversees the world with staggering precision, never allowing a nefarious actor to elude its vision for too long.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious
Adjective
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Rakshasa’s evil beast fits thematically with the park’s nearby 1976 Demon looping coaster.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
28 May 2025
-
Evans gives an oversized comedic performance as the church’s charming but evil minister.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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The court concluded that the administration’s unilateral actions without approval by Congress were unlawful.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Of note: Your Content must not be false, defamatory, misleading or hateful, or infringe any copyright or any other third-party rights or otherwise be unlawful.—
Will Matsuda,
New York Times,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Researchers also noted the chatbot engaging in other potentially disturbing—though not necessarily immoral—behavior.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
24 May 2025
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Suggesting that being out of work is immoral, as opposed to the conditions that contribute to people’s ability to work and live, might be a more appropriate source of anxiety.—
Lauren Coulman,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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The sinful acts on display here are a direct result of that disenfranchisement, an effort to reclaim what is still owed, forty acres and a mule, with interest.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
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Pope Gregory, believing these demons to be an indication of Magdalene’s excessively sinful past, identified her as an unnamed woman in Luke who wipes Jesus’ feet with her hair.—
Eliza Griswold,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The original 2006 film, which was adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s book of the same name, starred Meryl Streep as the powerful Miranda Priestley, Anne Hathaway as fashion newbie Andy Sachs, Emily Blunt as vicious assistant Emily and Stanley Tucci as Miranda’s right hand man Nigel.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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The synopsis reads: Prom season at Shadyside High is underway and the school’s wolfpack of It Girls is busy with its usual sweet and vicious campaigns for the crown.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Finally, the mint julep is a vile almost undrinkable beverage.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
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Along with receiving vulgar comments in person and people taking her picture on campus, the 18-year-old has received vile and sexist messages after her phone number was posted online.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Blast off at Baltimore's science fiction convention, see natural beauty envisioned by artists from around the world, take a stroll after dark at the zoo, celebrate Baltimore creatives or go to a legendary concert.—
John Coffren,
Baltimore Sun,
22 May 2025
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His dark worldview is premised on the pessimistic presumption that the world will turn on the Jews if given the chance, which is why the Israeli leader has long prized hard power over diplomatic understandings.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Glorifying motherhood, meanwhile, in practical terms, may only make mothers’ daily lives worse.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
23 May 2025
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But, are seed oils worse than saturated animal fats?—
Marianne Krasny,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nefarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nefarious. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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