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

Speaking on Busted Open, Henry pitched the idea of Belair returning as a heel, possibly forming an alliance with the newly villainous Cargill, though not necessarily as a formal tag team. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

Newcomer Mia Carragher stars as Katniss, and producers announced in October that John Malkovich would appear on-screen at every show as the villainous Snow. —Adam Bell, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025

The son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, as well as the grandson of Anakin Skywalker, Ben (Driver) appeared in the Star Wars sequel trilogy as the villainous Kylo Ren. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2025

The final scene of Gen V season 2 sees the young supes of Godolkin University now on the run after Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair) exploded the school's villainous founder Thomas Godolkin (Ethan Slater), but they've been given a new purpose. —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 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