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

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

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

In the film, Louis-Dreyfus’ villainous character has positioned a number of MCU loners and rejects to kill each other for her own nefarious reasons. —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025

Critics Choice nominee Grant, 64, plays a villainous religion scholar in Heretic, from writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. —Ariana Quihuiz, People.com, 2 May 2025

We are very literally being cast as monstrous, villainous bogeymen for cynical political reasons. —James Factora, Them., 30 Apr. 2025

Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad, in his second game back in the lineup on Monday, threw a flying forearm into the head of Tampa Bay forward Brandon Hagel, who has been a villainous figure in this series. —Josh Yohe, New York Times, 29 Apr. 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