nefarious
/nɪˈfɛːrɪəs/adjective
Extremely bad or dishonest; involving evil or crime.
Example sentences
- “The detectives uncovered a nefarious scheme to sell fake medicines.”
- “The film's villain hatches a nefarious plot to poison the city's water.”
Slightly literary, and often half-joking in modern use: 'for nefarious purposes' is a common ironic phrase.