English vocabulary · C1
Nefarious
/nɪˈfeə.ri.əs/ · adj.
It means wicked and criminal, done on purpose to harm people.
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Example sentences
- His nefarious scheme ruined many lives.
- The group had a nefarious plan all along.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- ne — not (from Latin)
- fas — right (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- EVIL — deeply bad or harmful (Pure & Absolute)
- WICKED — very bad; doing wrong things (Moral & Everyday)
- VILLAINOUS — like a villain; doing great harm (Dramatic & Story-based)
Similar words
- evil
- wicked
- villainous
Lesson notes
Nefarious. It means wicked and criminal, done on purpose to harm people.
Similar words are evil, wicked, villainous. Use nefarious when a plan is deeply criminal.
His nefarious scheme ruined many lives. The group had a nefarious plan all along.
From Latin. Ne- means not. Fas- means right. Not right at all — that is nefarious.