nefarious

USAGE SUMMARY

'nefarious' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective meaning 'evil or criminal'. For example: "The nefarious activities of the criminal organization have caused much suffering to the surrounding community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More than that, Levin also implicitly suggested that there was something wrong per se with betting that the housing market would crash, suggesting that while it's good to make money from good things happening, it's nefarious to put yourself in a position to make money when bad things happen.

The Economist

I may have been a cyclist for roughly 20 of my 31 years, but I've somehow managed to go all this time without being aware that I was pootling through a battlefield of bitter politics, nefarious law breaking and ugly tribalism.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sadly, this also opens the service up to some nefarious and illegal activity, so be careful where you tread.

The Guardian - Tech

Even for a show about such nefarious matters, the writers have found yet deeper recesses in the basement of human depravity.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It is time for the media and public to focus their attention on Mr Herman's nefarious motives and tactics, which seem to be driven solely by his need to shake down an innocent man like Bryan Singer.

The Guardian - Film

Throughout most of its tenure, the last BSP-DPS government faced waves of protest against its alleged links with nefarious business interests.

The Guardian

In related news: Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays nefarious plantation owner Calvin Candie in Django Unchained, has said he is planning a long break from acting to concentrate on environmental activism.

The Guardian - Film

According to Putin on Thursday, the best answer to the imposition of sanctions by nefarious western foes, as well as to Russia's internal problems, was "freedom for development in the economic, social and civil sectors".

The Guardian

After an ongoing slanging match with columnist Andrew Bolt, the communications minister did a prearranged interview with Jones, who also saw nefarious intent in Turnbull's dinner last week with Clive Palmer.

The Guardian

In Mountbatten's final years, he became the focus for a string of conspiracy theories alleging that MI5, the army or some other combination of nefarious forces were planning to install him at the head of a government of National Unity to replace Labour's Harold Wilson.

The Guardian

A "white hat" hacker in techie jargon, Mr Whitaker leads a team of security specialists at Knowledge Consulting Group who spend their days trying to worm their way into clients' computer systems to see how vulnerable they are to cyber-criminals, spies and other nefarious "black hats".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nefarious" to describe actions or plans that are not only evil but also carefully calculated to cause harm. It's stronger than simply 'bad' or 'wrong'.

Common error

Avoid using "nefarious" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound out of place if used inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "nefarious" primarily functions to describe nouns, indicating that they possess extreme wickedness or are associated with criminal activity. Ludwig shows it modifies nouns such as "motives", "activities", "schemes" or "purposes".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nefarious" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective that describes something extremely wicked or criminal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this word is correctly used and understood in English. Primarily found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, it conveys strong disapproval and condemnation and tends to lean towards a neutral or professional register. To avoid common mistakes, remember its formal tone and save it for appropriate contexts. Consider alternatives like "wicked" or "villainous" for more casual settings. Keep in mind that "nefarious" is used to describe actions or plans carefully calculated to cause harm, more than simply something 'bad'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evil

A broad term for profound immorality, less specific regarding intent or action.

wicked

A general term for evil or morally wrong behavior, less specific than "nefarious".

villainous

Implies behavior typical of a villain, often in a dramatic or exaggerated way, more person-centric.

sinister

Suggests an ominous or threatening evil, often with an element of mystery or suspense.

iniquitous

Suggests a gross injustice or wickedness, often on a systemic level, more formal.

vile

Describes something extremely unpleasant or morally reprehensible, emphasizing disgust.

criminal

Specifically related to illegal activities punishable by law, less focused on moral judgment.

corrupt

Implies moral decay and dishonesty, especially within a system or organization, more system-oriented.

dishonorable

Lacking in honor or integrity, focusing on a breach of ethical principles.

underhanded

Implies deception and secrecy in achieving a goal, emphasizing the devious method.

FAQs

How to use "nefarious" in a sentence?

You can use "nefarious" to describe actions, plans, or schemes that are extremely wicked or criminal. For example, "The detective uncovered the "nefarious plot" to steal the valuable artifacts."

What can I say instead of "nefarious"?

You can use alternatives like "wicked", "villainous", or "iniquitous" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "nefarious scheme" or "nefarious plan"?

Both "nefarious scheme" and "nefarious plan" are correct and commonly used. The choice depends on the specific context, as "scheme" often implies a more intricate or devious plot.

What's the difference between "nefarious" and "sinister"?

"Nefarious" typically describes actions or plans that are openly wicked or criminal. "Sinister", on the other hand, suggests a more subtle or ominous evil, often implying a hidden threat or malevolent intention.