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Definition of felonious

felonious

/fəˈloʊ.ni.əs/
fe · lo · ni · ous

Adverb:feloniously
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felonious Lexical Profile

felonious Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to, involving, or having the legal nature of a felony or serious crime.

Example

"The prosecutor presented extensive financial records to prove that the executive's actions were deliberate and felonious."


2

Wicked, villainous, or malicious in character or intent.

Example

"In classic detective fiction, the hero often uncovers a felonious plot orchestrated by a seemingly respectable aristocrat."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for felonious

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 14th century, the word derives from Middle English 'felon' (meaning wicked or treacherous), from Old French 'felon', combined with the adjective-forming suffix '-ious'. Under English common law, it came to specifically denote grave offenses punishable by the forfeiture of land or goods.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Felonious. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/felonious
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