Nefarious meaning

nə-fârē-əs

Infamous by way of being extremely wicked.

adjective

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The definition of nefarious is someone who is known for being very wicked.

An example of nefarious is Adolf Hitler.

adjective

3

1

Very wicked; villainous; iniquitous.

adjective

2

1

Sinful, villainous, criminal or (extremely) wicked.

The nefarious gangster was finally brought to justice.

adjective

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Infamous for being wicked.

The nefarious wizard was known for burning people alive during his secret rituals.

adjective

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Origin of nefarious

Latin nefārius from nefās crime, transgression ne- not ne in Indo-European roots fās divine law dhē- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Latin nefÄrius (“execrable, abominable"), from nefas (“something contrary to divine law, an impious deed, sin, crime"), from ne- (“not") + fas (“the dictates of religion, divine law"), related to for (“I speak, I say"), and cognate to Ï†Î·Î¼Î¯ (phemi, “I say").

From Wiktionary