Episode Overview

Main theme:
This episode of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day (December 29, 2025) explores the word "nefarious"—its definition, usage, etymological roots, and examples. Host Peter Sokolowski delves into how "nefarious" adds a formal flair to language when describing truly evil or immoral acts.

Key Discussion Points

1. Definition and Usage

• Nefarious (adjective):
  A formal word describing something as evil or immoral.
• Sokolowski gives context:

  "If you need a fancy word to describe someone who's up to no good, nefarious has got you and them covered. It's also handy for characterizing the no good such a dastardly devil gets up to, as in a nefarious business or plot or deed." (00:42)

• The term typically applies to:
  • Flagrantly wicked or corrupt acts/people
  • Supervillain-level misdeeds rather than minor or morally ambiguous wrongs

2. Example in Context

• Pop Culture Reference:
  Sokolowski quotes ComicBook.com to illustrate use:

  "Introducing characters like Gorilla Grodd on DC crime would help familiarize audiences with these figures before they potentially receive an expanded role in another project. Perhaps each season could focus on a different villain highlighting their nefarious actions." (00:42–01:17)

  • Here, "nefarious actions" refers to the wicked schemes of comic book villains.

3. Tips for Application

• Sokolowski explains:

  "It's more applicable to the mustache twirling supervillain than the morally gray antihero. In other words, there's no question that a nefarious scheme or schemer is not right." (01:18)

  • Highlights the clear-cut connotation of evil—it's not for describing ambiguous or minor bad behavior.

4. Etymology & Rare Relations

• Word Origin:
  • "Nefarious" traces back to the Latin noun nefas ("crime"), derived from:
    • ne ("not") + fas ("right" or "divine law").
• Sokolowski notes the rarity:

  "It is one of very few English words with this root, accompanied only by the likes of nefariousness and the thoroughly obscure word nephast, meaning wicked." (01:45)

• Memorable fun fact—"nephast" is a rare cousin of "nefarious."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the essence of “nefarious”:

  "Nefarious is most often used for someone or something that is flagrantly wicked or corrupt." (01:14)

• On who or what to call nefarious:

  "There's no question that a nefarious scheme or schemer is not right." (01:22)

• On word history:

  "Etymologically, this makes perfect sense. Nefarious can be traced back to the Latin noun nefas, meaning crime, which in turn combines ne, meaning not, and fas, meaning right or divine law." (01:26)

Important Timestamps

• 00:42: Definition of nefarious, usage in a ComicBook.com sentence.
• 01:14: Explaining that "nefarious" is for clear-cut wickedness.
• 01:26: Etymology of the word.
• 01:45: Mention of rare relatives like "nephast."

Summary

This episode offers a concise yet enlightening look at "nefarious," clarifying its meaning, context, and historical roots:

• It's a powerful adjective for truly evil, villainous acts or people.
• Use it when there’s no doubt something is wrong—even if you want to sound a little “fancy.”
• The word’s Latin roots reinforce its connotation of defying divine or moral law.
• Listeners come away with a precise understanding and several practical examples, all delivered in Sokolowski’s succinct and engaging style.