villainous

1 of 2

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

villainousness

2 of 2

noun

vil·​lain·​ous·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being villainous : villainy

Synonyms of villainous

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

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

Adjective

Kara Zor-El (Alcock) goes on a planet-hopping mission to save her beloved Krypto – with young and vengeful girl Ruthye (Eve Ridley) in tow – after he’s poisoned by the villainous Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 June 2026

Supergirl also stars Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley), a 14-year-old girl who seeks vengeance on the villainous Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts) following a family tragedy. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Eve Ridley’s Ruthye has just seen her whole family brutally murdered at the hands of the villainous Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts), the leader of a group of violent space marauders known as the Brigands. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 26 June 2026

Arngrim portrayed the villainous Nellie Oleson, who was the nemesis of Charles' daughter Laura (Melissa Gilbert). — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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