nefarious deed

USAGE SUMMARY

"nefarious deed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe any action which is considered wrong or morally wrong. For example, "The newly appointed politician was implicated in a nefarious deed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Name a government that doesn't have its hands dirty with some nefarious deed at home or abroad.

The Guardian

It's about a group of friends who receive the same letter, signed "Your Caretaker", asking them to do something dreadful … all because of their nefarious deed one night in the California desert.

The Guardian - Books

They raise sensational allegations against Mr. Lee and his aides but couch them in phrases like "It is possible to conjecture...," "There is enough circumstantial evidence to suggest... " and their favorite: "Of course, we don't believe that His Highness would have committed such a nefarious deed".

The New York Times

It would be unthinkable for Richmal Crompton's William Brown and his friends of friends known as "The Outlaws", long seen as icons of boyhood, not to have a private place where they plot their next nefarious deed far from the prying eyes of the adults.

The Guardian

And you can be sure there will be a major investigation into this nefarious deed, citing educators who have cheated their students by lowering the standards.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Both have very active spy agencies and regularly accuse each other of nefarious deeds.

The New York Times

No evidence has surfaced linking either Clinton to these nefarious deeds.

The Guardian - Opinion

QUESTION FROM JONATHAN ZWERGEL: What do you think about SPECTRE and their nefarious deeds?

The New Yorker

It is neither good nor bad, but it may be used for constructive purposes as well as for nefarious deeds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Before long he stumbles onto intrigue and nefarious deeds that lead him back into his own personal history.

The New York Times - Books

KIDNAPPINGS for ransom, drug-smuggling, fake invoicing and extortion are just a few of the ways in which terrorists raise cash for their nefarious deeds.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nefarious deed" to describe actions that are not only wrong but also suggest a degree of cunning or underhandedness in their execution.

Common error

Avoid using "nefarious deed" to describe minor missteps or unintentional errors. Reserve it for situations involving intentional malice or significant moral failing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nefarious deed" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "nefarious" modifies the noun "deed". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nefarious deed" is a grammatically sound and usable expression used to describe actions that are morally wrong and often involve cunning or malicious intent. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct, although it's relatively rare in occurrence. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral tone suitable for reporting and commentary on serious wrongdoings. Alternative phrases such as "wicked act" or "evil action" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wicked act

Replaces "nefarious" with "wicked", focusing on the moral reprehensibility of the act.

evil action

Substitutes "nefarious" with "evil", highlighting the inherently immoral nature of the action.

criminal act

Replaces "nefarious" with "criminal", emphasizing the illegal nature of the deed.

malicious act

Uses "malicious" instead of "nefarious", focusing on the intent to cause harm.

heinous crime

Replaces "deed" with "crime" and "nefarious" with "heinous", emphasizing the severity and shocking nature of the act.

atrocious act

Replaces "nefarious" with "atrocious", highlighting the cruelty and violence of the act.

villainous act

Emphasizes the evil or criminal nature of the act, often associated with a villain.

corrupt practice

Replaces "deed" with "practice" and "nefarious" with "corrupt", often referring to unethical business or political activities.

unscrupulous behavior

Focuses on the lack of moral principles behind the action, highlighting the unethical nature of the behavior.

immoral conduct

General term indicating actions violating moral principles, broadening the scope beyond a single 'deed'.

FAQs

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

You can use "nefarious deed" to describe actions that are morally wrong and possibly illegal. For example, "The investigation uncovered a series of "nefarious deeds" committed by the corporation."

What are some alternatives to saying "nefarious deed"?

You can use alternatives like "wicked act", "evil action", or "criminal act" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "nefarious deed"?

Use "nefarious deed" when you want to emphasize that an action is not only wrong but also involves cunning, deceit, or malicious intent.

What distinguishes "nefarious deed" from a simple mistake?

"Nefarious deed" implies intentional wrongdoing and a violation of moral principles, while a simple mistake is unintentional and often results from negligence or error.