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
In practice, that means that if some nefarious third-party tries to hack in and read the data mid-transmission, the very act will change the quantum state of the photon and scramble the message.
—
Michael Irving, New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2025
Even the climactic battle’s helicopter-like drone warriors recalls nefarious winged monkeys deployed from the Wicked Witch's austere stone castle.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 Mar. 2025
But the group in question — the American Inns of Court — is hardly secretive given its large public presence, and there is no evidence that members are involved in nefarious activities targeting Trump.
—Melissa Goldin, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2025
To deter nefarious acts and regardless of your home’s size, consider adding outside lights that face your residence.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Michael Irving, New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2025
Even the climactic battle’s helicopter-like drone warriors recalls nefarious winged monkeys deployed from the Wicked Witch's austere stone castle.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 Mar. 2025
But the group in question — the American Inns of Court — is hardly secretive given its large public presence, and there is no evidence that members are involved in nefarious activities targeting Trump.
—Melissa Goldin, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2025
To deter nefarious acts and regardless of your home’s size, consider adding outside lights that face your residence.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nefarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nefarious
Adjective
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At the time of Vallow's death, Vallow Daybell was espousing the belief that he was possessed by an evil spirit, the prosecution said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2025
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Last season, there was an episode that featured an evil streaming executive — who dressed like, kind of looked like and whose name even sounded like Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief creative officer and your boss.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The suit will argue that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which grants the president increased powers during an economic emergency, to impose tariffs is unlawful and requires congressional approval.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Apr. 2025
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The lawsuit will argue that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China is unlawful.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Regardless of what transpired between the two cast members, on or off screen, Aspen was unfairly portrayed as an immoral character.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Essence,
11 Apr. 2025
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We are limited to enforcing the law, not policing immoral behavior.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Driven by a religious mandate to purify society by stopping sinful behavior, the AFMRS’s missionaries provided direct outreach to low-income areas.—
Jenna Deep,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Mar. 2025
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Here's the list of least-to-most sinful states, according to WalletHub: TRAVELERS FLOCK TO TOP RELIGIOUS LANDMARKS DEEMED 'MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE' (iStock) 50.—
Andrea Margolis,
Fox News,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This was a vicious weaponization of your government.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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Shauna may be the vicious Antler Queen now, but Lottie also played a role in Mari’s death.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Snow White gets a much more meaningful backstory The original Disney film begins with a few short sentences about how Snow White was forced to work as a scullery maid for her vile stepmother, the Queen.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
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Newsweek's efforts to politicize the death of these individuals, including the reporter's request to confirm names and locations of death, are vile.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And so by some sociologists, camp is thought to be this form of dark humor serving as a coping mechanism to historical marginalization.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
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Editor’s tip: Niacinamide is a multitasker that blurs the look of dark spots, evens your skin tone, and balances your complexion.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That means more time for Rojas, who has shown more bad than good to begin this season.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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Thankfully, the kittens were discovered and rescued right in time before something worse fell on them.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nefarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nefarious. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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