Nefarious
nɪˈfɛəriəs
adjective
wicked, villainous, or criminal
The word 'nefarious' comes from the Latin word 'nefarious' which means 'wicked' or 'abominable'. It is often used to describe acts that are extremely immoral or criminal in nature.
See how James Joyce, Frank Herbert and 1 other author use "nefarious", with its meaning, pronunciation and real book examples.
Examples from books
These methods are when, either by some wicked or nefarious ways, one ascends to the principality, or when by the favour of his fellow-citizens a private person becomes the prince of his country.
Niccolò Machiavelli
The Prince
Master Lenehan at this made return that he had heard of those nefarious deeds and how, as he heard hereof counted, he had besmirched the lily virtue of a confiding female which was corruption of minors and they all intershowed it too, waxing merry and toasting to his fathership.
James Joyce
Ulysses
“Outsiders always think there’s something nefarious about the Bene Gesserit,” she said.
Frank Herbert
Chapterhouse: Dune
