big bad
noun
variants
or Big Bad
plural big bads or Big Bads
: a major villain or antagonist (as in a movie, show, or game)
When Ursula, the story's big bad, took to the screen, I would run behind the entertainment center and cover my eyes, a fact my mom loves to remind me about whenever she gets the chance.—
KT Hawbaker
KT HawbakerAs the show [Buffy the Vampire Slayer] aged, the Big Bads became more dangerous and the lessons more adult, but Buffy never gave up …—Kaitlin Thomas
Kaitlin ThomasThe Big Bad this time around is the wind mage Vaati, who has captured Zelda, and it's your quest to defeat him and prevent the unholy union of princess and evil eyeball-blob-thing.—Tony Ponce
Tony PonceExamples of big bad in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rudy also has a rich girlfriend, Sarah (Madison Iseman), who does work for the big bad law firm.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 Aug. 2025
Notable supporting cast: John Slattery plays the head of the big bad firm.
—Linda Holmes, NPR, 15 Aug. 2025
Anyone who tries to tell Marylanders with a straight face that our neighbors won’t be hurt by this big bad bill simply isn’t telling the full truth.
—Johnny Olszewski, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2025
Who is the villain of Avengers: Doomsday? While the Infinity Saga revolved around Thanos (Josh Brolin) as the main villain, the Multiverse Saga will debut Doctor Doom as the big bad in Avengers: Doomsday.
—Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for big bad
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Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 Aug. 2025
Notable supporting cast: John Slattery plays the head of the big bad firm.
—Linda Holmes, NPR, 15 Aug. 2025
Anyone who tries to tell Marylanders with a straight face that our neighbors won’t be hurt by this big bad bill simply isn’t telling the full truth.
—Johnny Olszewski, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2025
Who is the villain of Avengers: Doomsday? While the Infinity Saga revolved around Thanos (Josh Brolin) as the main villain, the Multiverse Saga will debut Doctor Doom as the big bad in Avengers: Doomsday.
—Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for big bad
Cite this Entry
“Big bad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20bad. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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