villain

noun

ˈvi-lən How to pronounce villain (audio)
Definition of villainnext
as in brute
a mean, evil, or unprincipled person only a heartless villain would kidnap a baby for ransom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of villain In essence, the excellent second season is dedicated to muddying the myth of heroes and villains, in that heroes don’t have to put themselves above anyone in order to lead. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2026 But don’t be surprised if Skubal also gets painted as a villain, joining the superteam Dodgers in the final year before a new collective bargaining agreement. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 Modern Californians have been forced to make do with Hollywood's CGI versions of the fault, which cast it as one of the state's darkest villains. — Rong-Gong Lin Ii Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026 The results are only so-so as Tony Stark tussles with PTSD, criminally underused antagonist Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) and yawn-worthy villain Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for villain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for villain
  1. brute
  2. monster
  3. criminal
  4. devil
  5. savage
  6. offender
  7. scoundrel
  8. beast
Noun
  • Shinnecock was still a brute of a test, but the red numbers on the white scoreboard were an unfamiliar site for this course.
    — Doug Ferguson, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • These brutes commonly exceed 50 pounds.
    — Keith Sutton, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026
Definition of brute
Noun
  • For additional context, the war against the Locust kicks off only a few weeks after the 79-year conflict between human factions known as the Pendulum Wars, which explains why the COG wasn't in the best of conditions when the monsters attacked.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Kuwaki was the clubhouse leader on 5-under-par when Henseleit dropped a monster 40ft putt to birdie the 18th, taking the final major of the year to a sudden-death playoff.
    — Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of monster
Noun
  • More than a year earlier, Arlington, Massachusetts sent four straight monthly payments totaling $446,000 to a criminal who had impersonated a real vendor and asked to switch from paper checks to electronic transfer.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Do not ignore a small charge because criminals sometimes use minor transactions to test an account.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of criminal
Noun
  • Indeed, Aston Villa, who have frequently danced with the regulatory devil, have shuttered their North Stand for redevelopment and expansion this season, taking a hit to income now in exchange for bigger returns in the future.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • When Bob calls him a devil for shooting his own blood, Max doesn't flinch.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
Definition of devil
Noun
  • And potentially discover treasure that will keep the savages at home from tearing the place down.
    — Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Iggy Pop’s eternal lust for life Iggy Pop’s ability to stay shirtless and savage at 79 goes beyond scientific explanation.
    — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of savage
Noun
  • Sehnaoui's meeting with the Israeli leader occurred as some in Lebanon have called for abolishing a 1955 law that bans dealing with Israel or having contacts with Israelis and punishes offenders with up to 10 years in jail.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • Because of his previous felonies, though none for violent crimes, Pfister could now be defined as a habitual offender under Michigan law and faces prison.
    — Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of offender
Noun
  • But Roy Cohn—an American scoundrel and the lawyer who helped send Julius and Ethel Rosenberg to the electric chair, aided Senator Joseph McCarthy in implementing the Red Scare, and showed Trump the ropes in the real-estate business—was long gone.
    — Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • And the surviving cartel scoundrels take the parting shot by kidnapping beloved Carter, putting a hood on him and taking the boy off.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of scoundrel
Noun
  • The family hides from the beast, which looks like a mix between a Cthulhu, an octopus and a big, beefy guy.
    — William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The result is a car that tames the Bolide beast with a more refined aesthetic throughout, yet without lacking any of its sibling’s muscle—sharing the Bolide’s 1,578 hp, quad-turbo W16 power plant.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of beast

Browse Nearby Words

villages
villain
villainess
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Cite this Entry

“Villain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/villain. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of villain for Spanish Speakers

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