Words / C2

ni-FAIRR-ee-uh-s/nɪˈfeəriəs/

Nefarious means wicked in a planned, almost storybook way — criminal or morally rotten. Bad and wrong are everyday; criminal is more precise for law. Writers (and journalists) reach for nefarious schemes / activities when they want a hiss of villainy. In speech it can sound comic-book unless the crime is real; say corrupt or criminal. Do not use it for a rude email.

Meaning

Criminal or morally very bad.

Examples

• “The plot was a nefarious attempt to cheat.”
• “Investigators traced a nefarious trade in fake certificates.”
• “The plot’s nefarious twist is that the charity was the front.”

Good to know

Wicked, usually planned. Everyday: criminal / corrupt. Easy to sound theatrical. Schemes/activities.

Near in meaning

wicked

New