villainous

adjective

vil·lain·ous ˈvi-lə-nəs

Synonyms of villainous next

: befitting a villain (as in evil or depraved character)

a villainous attack

: being or having the character of a villain : depraved

the villainous foe

: highly objectionable : wretched

villainously adverb

villainousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for villainous

vicious, villainous, iniquitous, nefarious, corrupt, degenerate mean highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct.

vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

Examples of villainous in a Sentence

villainous behavior that made him one of the most notorious figures in history and gave rise to the legend of Dracula

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

And as luck will have it, the British actress will soon be seen as a different kind of villainous nun, playing a reverend mother of the Bene Gesserit in the HBO spinoff Dune: Prophecy. —

Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024 As decreed by Bill Skarsgård's villainous Marquis de Gramont, the Continental was blown up and Winston's friend and second in command, Charon, was executed. —

EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024 This makes the villainous Vice President, President immediately. —

Paul Tassi, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 The Veterans has boarded sales for an AFM launch on Bernard Rose’s Shakespeare adaptation Lear Rex, starring Al Pacino as tragic monarch King Lear alongside Jessica Chastain as his villainous, power-hungry, oldest daughter Goneril. —

Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for villainous

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of villainous was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Villainous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/villainous. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

villainous

adjective

vil·lain·ous ˈvil-ə-nəs

: typical of a villain

villainous attacks

also : wicked

a villainous enemy

: very objectionable

villainous living conditions

villainously adverb

Last Updated: 13 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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villainous

adjective

Synonyms

Examples of villainous in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near villainous

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition