villainous

adjective

vil·​lain·​ous ˈvi-lə-nəs 

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

Synonyms of villainous

• evil
• immoral
• unlawful
• sinful
• vicious
• vile
• wicked
• dark
• bad

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

Joaquin Phoenix's villainous performance as the tyrannical emperor Commodus earned him an Academy Award nomination. —Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026

Subsequent toy lines added more sci-fi elements and introduced Evil-Lyn, Teela’s counterpart; Faker, He-Man’s villainous clone; and Tri-Klops and Trap-Jaw, Skeletor’s assistants, among others. —Sanat Pai Raikarall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 May 2026

Anyone who has worked in or observed the media industry for the last couple of decades will recognize and be repulsed by nepo-baby Jay, who is undeniably villainous. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026

The voice cast is impressive — Glenn Close as the villainous and morally bankrupt Freida Pilkington is a treat, along with Steve Buscemi, Kathleen Turner and more. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

villainous

adjective

vil·​lain·​ous ˈvil-ə-nəs 

1

: typical of a villain

villainous attacks

also : wicked

a villainous enemy

2

: very objectionable

villainous living conditions

villainously adverb