as nefarious as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as nefarious as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the wickedness or villainy of one thing to another. Example: "His actions were as nefarious as those of the most infamous criminals in history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Facebook's action is not nearly as nefarious as it seems.

The New York Times

Or if those bad guys aren't quite as nefarious as we'd like?

The Guardian - Film

Though it may be painful for some to accept, the C.I.A. hasn't been nearly as nefarious as many people think.

The New York Times

Flynn communicates with Lucy and makes it clear that his motives aren't as nefarious as some would lead her to believe.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There were very few public enemies as nefarious as the 1999 version of Wen Ho Lee, the 60-year-old scientist who's accused of downloading the "crown jewels" of our nuclear secrets with the intent of harming the United States.

The New York Times

While there have only been hints of it before, Claire finally showed herself to be every bit as nefarious as her husband meanwhile, brutally telling a former employee that she will let her unborn baby 'wither and die' if that's what it takes to maintain the advantage, and calmly applying make-up - totally unfazed -following the news of Zoe's death.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Teachers' unions are routinely portrayed not as legitimate stakeholders but as nefarious special interests.

The New Yorker

Ashden Fein, as a false "diatribe" that relied on "child logic" to portray his client as nefarious.

The New York Times

At least as nefarious were the private conversations, whisperings that went on in homes, workplaces and schools across America.

The New York Times

The movie tries to pick up a sort of organized-crime street cred with appearances by James Caan ("The Godfather"), Steven Bauer ("Scarface") and Paul Sorvino ("Goodfellas") as nefarious types.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, the economic structure of the system is not nearly as nefarious in theory as it is in practice.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as nefarious as", ensure the comparison is clear and the subject of comparison is well-established. This strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "as nefarious as" in informal settings where simpler, more direct language would be more appropriate. Overusing formal vocabulary can make your writing sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as nefarious as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe something by comparing its level of wickedness or evil to that of something else. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

12%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as nefarious as" serves as a comparative tool to emphasize the wickedness or evil nature of a subject by drawing a parallel with something equally malevolent. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English. It finds common application in news and media contexts, where neutrality and clarity are paramount. While interchangeable with alternatives like "equally villainous as" or "just as wicked as", it is crucial to ensure its use aligns with the formality of the setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally villainous as

Replaces "nefarious" with "villainous", emphasizing the wicked character or actions to an equal degree.

just as wicked as

Substitutes "nefarious" with "wicked", focusing on immoral or evil behavior with the same intensity.

as evil as

Uses "evil" instead of "nefarious", highlighting profound immorality or malevolence in equal measure.

as treacherous as

Replaces "nefarious" with "treacherous", indicating a comparable level of deceitfulness and betrayal.

as malicious as

Substitutes "nefarious" with "malicious", stressing the intent to do harm with equal force.

comparably corrupt as

Uses "corrupt" in place of "nefarious", focusing on moral decay and dishonesty to a similar extent.

similarly immoral as

Replaces "nefarious" with "immoral", emphasizing the lack of moral principles equally.

as diabolical as

Substitutes "nefarious" with "diabolical", highlighting extreme wickedness or association with the devil.

as sinister as

Replaces "nefarious" with "sinister", focusing on a threatening or ominous nature to the same degree.

just as unscrupulous as

Substitutes "nefarious" with "unscrupulous", emphasizing the lack of moral principles in business dealings comparably.

FAQs

How can I use "as nefarious as" in a sentence?

Use "as nefarious as" to compare two subjects in terms of their wickedness or evil nature. For example, "His plan was "as nefarious as" any criminal scheme ever devised".

What words are similar to "as nefarious as"?

Similar phrases include "equally villainous as", "just as wicked as", or "as evil as", all of which convey a similar comparison of wickedness.

Is it better to use "nefarious" or a simpler word like "evil"?

The choice depends on the context. "Nefarious" is more formal and specific, suggesting wicked and secretive actions, while "evil" is a broader term for profound immorality. Use "nefarious" when you want to emphasize the cunning and secretive nature of the wickedness.

What is the difference between "nefarious" and "malicious"?

"Nefarious" implies wickedness, often with a secretive or cunning element, while "malicious" specifically indicates an intent to do harm. One might describe a plot "as nefarious as" a sinister scheme and malicious intent.