villainous

adjective

vil·​lain·​ous ˈvi-lə-nəs How to pronounce villainous (audio)
1
a
: befitting a villain (as in evil or depraved character)
a villainous attack
b
: being or having the character of a villain : depraved
the villainous foe
2
: 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

Dictionary Entries Near villainous

Cite this Entry

“Villainous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/villainous. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

villainous

adjective
vil·​lain·​ous ˈvil-ə-nəs How to pronounce villainous (audio)
1
: typical of a villain
villainous attacks
also : wicked
a villainous enemy
2
: very objectionable
villainous living conditions
villainously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on villainous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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