nefarious

WOTD – 23 February 2006    

English

Etymology

From Latin nefārius (“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 φημί (phemi, “I say”).

Pronunciation

• IPA: /nɛˈfɛəɹiəs/
• Rhymes: -ɛəriəs

Adjective

nefarious (comparative more nefarious, superlative most nefarious)

1. infamous for being wicked

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

2. wicked or criminal

   The nefarious gangster was finally brought to justice.

Synonyms

• evil
• vicious
• wicked
• See also Wikisaurus:evil

Derived terms

• nefariously
• nefariousness

Translations

infamous for being wicked

• Dutch: berucht (nl), schandelijk (nl), misdadig (nl)
• Esperanto: skandala (eo), malfarinda (eo)
• French: infâme (fr), scandaleux (fr), criminel (fr)
• German: berüchtigt (de)

• Norwegian: avskyelig (no), skjendig (no)
• Russian: бесчестный; нечестный, низкий; гнусный, мерзкий, подлый
• Swedish: skändlig (sv), gudlös (sv)

References

• Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary "nefarious"
• “nefarious” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, v1.0.1, Lexico Publishing Group, 2006.