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

• 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

The trailer also includes shots of Maximus (Moten), Lucy’s villainous father, Hank (Kyle McLachlan) as well as the menacing predator the Deathclaw. See the full trailer below. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025

O’Connell has had a big year that started with his scene-stealing role as villainous vampire Remy in the box office smash Sinners, followed by the Sony horror hit 28 Years Later. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2025

In addition to the villainous Milo, two longtime characters also met their end: Iris (Emma Laird) and Capt. Kareem Moore (Michael Beach), both of whom had been with the series since the first season. —Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025

That era reached its peak on Nov. 17, 1981, when Luke and Laura married (Scorpio was Luke’s best man), Elizabeth Taylor guest-starred as the villainous Helena Cassadine — and the episode drew an audience of 30 million viewers. —Giana Levy, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025

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