nefarious
Deeply morally corrupt
Nefarious describes actions or people that are wicked, villainous, or criminal—especially in a calculating or sinister way.
The word suggests deliberate evil rather than mere wrongdoing: a nefarious scheme, nefarious activities.
It often appears in contexts involving conspiracy, corruption, or organized crime: The investigation uncovered their nefarious dealings.
Evil or slang-excellent
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
- malevolentHarboring ill will
- vileExtremely unpleasant or bad
heinous · malicious · fiendish · dastardly · iniquitous · pernicious · malignant · villainous
Criminal or evil behavior
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
- syndicateCombined group pursuing shared interest
underworld · racket · smuggling · trafficking · heist · money laundering · embezzlement · fraud
Morally offensive or shocking
- disreputableHaving poor standing
- disgracedBrought into shame
- ignominiousDeserving public shame
- shamefulCausing or meriting disgrace
dishonorable · sordid · unsavory · shady · unscrupulous · debased · ill-famed · blackguard
Corrupt payment for influence
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
malfeasance · misconduct · rigging · falsification · exploitation · underhanded · backroom deals · cover-up
wicked
Evil or slang-excellent
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
- malevolentHarboring ill will
vile · heinous · malicious · fiendish · dastardly · iniquitous · pernicious · malignant · villainous · treacherous
villainy
Criminal or evil behavior
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
syndicate · underworld · racket · smuggling · trafficking · heist · money laundering · embezzlement · fraud · extortion
scandalous
Morally offensive or shocking
- disreputableHaving poor standing
- disgracedBrought into shame
- ignominiousDeserving public shame
shameful · dishonorable · sordid · unsavory · shady · unscrupulous · debased · ill-famed · blackguard · scoundrel
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
nepotism · malfeasance · misconduct · rigging · falsification · exploitation · underhanded · backroom deals · cover-up · collusion
- SAT vocabularyaesthetic, ambiguous, benevolent, candid, concise
- wickedevil, wicked, villainous, malicious, sinister
- disgustdisgust, disgusting, disgusted, revulsion, repulsion
- infernalhellish, demonic, diabolical, satanic, devilish