VILLAINOUS Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'villainous' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of villainous are corrupt , degenerate , iniquitous , nefarious , and vicious . While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic. // a villainous assault

Q: When is 'corrupt' a more appropriate choice than 'villainous'?

While the synonyms corrupt and villainous are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations. // city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

Q: When is it sensible to use 'degenerate' instead of 'villainous'?

The synonyms degenerate and villainous are sometimes interchangeable, but degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition. // a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

Q: When might 'iniquitous' be a better fit than 'villainous'?

The words iniquitous and villainous can be used in similar contexts, but iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness. // an iniquitous system of taxation

Q: In what contexts can 'nefarious' take the place of 'villainous'?

The words nefarious and villainous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct. // the nefarious rackets of organized crime

Q: Where would 'vicious' be a reasonable alternative to 'villainous'?

Although the words vicious and villainous have much in common, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence. // a vicious gangster

villainous

adjective

ˈvi-lə-nəs

Definition of villainous next

as in evil

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable villainous behavior that made him one of the most notorious figures in history and gave rise to the legend of Dracula

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective villainous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of villainous are corrupt, degenerate, iniquitous, nefarious, and vicious. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

When is corrupt a more appropriate choice than villainous?

While the synonyms corrupt and villainous are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When is it sensible to use degenerate instead of villainous?

The synonyms degenerate and villainous are sometimes interchangeable, but degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When might iniquitous be a better fit than villainous?

The words iniquitous and villainous can be used in similar contexts, but iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

In what contexts can nefarious take the place of villainous?

The words nefarious and villainous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

Where would vicious be a reasonable alternative to villainous?

Although the words vicious and villainous have much in common, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of villainous Hahn's villainous Agatha formed a coven and began to wander down a dark, twisted version of the Yellow Brick Road. —

Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024 Washington’s fun and sinister portrayal of the villainous Macrinus, a former slave who plots to control Rome, stands as one of his most charismatic and riveting performances. —

Clayton Davis, Variety, 19 Oct. 2024 Theron joined the scary flick as a follower of the villainous Eli, who takes over his community with the help of a murderous cornfield. —

James Mercadante, EW.com, 28 Oct. 2024 McMahon, who purchased the WWE (then known as WWF) from his father in 1982, crafted a villainous public persona starting around the mid-Nineties, often appearing on the organization’s shows to snarl at various wrestlers and even competing in the ring. —

Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for villainous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for villainous

Adjective

Here's why At one point he’s basically indentured to almost comically evil thieves, who force him to crawl through small spaces in the rubble to steal for them.

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
The big difference between this show and that film is that there’s more than one body-hopping alien to contend with, and not all of them are evil.

Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024