villainous

vil·lain·ous

adjective \-lə-nəs\

Definition of VILLAINOUS

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

— vil·lain·ous·ly adverb

— vil·lain·ous·ness noun

Examples of VILLAINOUS

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

First Known Use of VILLAINOUS

14th century

Related to VILLAINOUS

Synonyms

black, dark, evil, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, rotten, sinful, unethical, unlawful, unrighteous, unsavory, vicious, vile, bad, wicked, wrong

Antonyms

decent, ethical, good, honest, honorable, just, moral, right, righteous, sublime, upright, virtuous

Related Words

base, contemptible, despicable, dirty, disreputable, evil-minded, ignoble, ill, infernal, low, mean, snide, sordid; atrocious, cruel, infamous, nasty; blamable, blameworthy, censurable, objectionable, obscene, offensive, reprehensible; corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, loose, low-minded, perverted, reprobate, scrofulous, sick, unhealthy; cursed (also curst), cussed, defiling, noxious, pernicious, pestilential, ugly, ungodly, unwholesome; banned, barred, condemned, discouraged, forbidden, illegal, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, unauthorized, unclean; disallowed; execrable, lousy, miserable, wretched; errant, erring, fallen, unprincipled, unscrupulous; improper, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, naughty, unbecoming, unseemly, vulgar; dishonest, dishonorable

Near Antonyms

elevated, high, high-minded, law-abiding, legitimate, lofty, noble, principled, reputable, scrupulous; allowed, authorized, legal, licensed, permissible, permitted; approved, endorsed (also indorsed), sanctioned; abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported; clean, correct, decent, decorous, exemplary, proper, seemly; blameless, commendable, creditable, guiltless, legitimate; chaste, immaculate, incorruptible, innocent, inoffensive, irreproachable, lily-white, perfect, pure, spotless, squeaky-clean, uncorrupted, unerring, unfallen, unobjectionable, venerable, white, wholesome; esteemed, respected, upstanding, worthy

See Synonym Discussion at vicious