as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
villainous behavior that made him one of the most notorious figures in history and gave rise to the legend of Dracula
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Recent Examples of villainous
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, 4 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
See All Example Sentences for villainous
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 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
See All Example Sentences for villainous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for villainous
Adjective
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Will the company itself go rogue and opt to use AGI for evil deeds?—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
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In an incisive observation of the way that an adult’s words can sometimes settle on a child with unusual weight, I-Jing absorbs this folk superstition without question, and begins to shoplift gaudy trinkets from surrounding market stalls, only ever using her evil left hand.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Researchers also noted the chatbot engaging in other potentially disturbing—though not necessarily immoral—behavior.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
24 May 2025
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Suggesting that being out of work is immoral, as opposed to the conditions that contribute to people’s ability to work and live, might be a more appropriate source of anxiety.—
Lauren Coulman,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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The court concluded that the administration’s unilateral actions without approval by Congress were unlawful.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Of note: Your Content must not be false, defamatory, misleading or hateful, or infringe any copyright or any other third-party rights or otherwise be unlawful.—
Will Matsuda,
New York Times,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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The sinful acts on display here are a direct result of that disenfranchisement, an effort to reclaim what is still owed, forty acres and a mule, with interest.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
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Pope Gregory, believing these demons to be an indication of Magdalene’s excessively sinful past, identified her as an unnamed woman in Luke who wipes Jesus’ feet with her hair.—
Eliza Griswold,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The original 2006 film, which was adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s book of the same name, starred Meryl Streep as the powerful Miranda Priestley, Anne Hathaway as fashion newbie Andy Sachs, Emily Blunt as vicious assistant Emily and Stanley Tucci as Miranda’s right hand man Nigel.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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The synopsis reads: Prom season at Shadyside High is underway and the school’s wolfpack of It Girls is busy with its usual sweet and vicious campaigns for the crown.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Twain’s early writing and private letters and diaries contain vile language and sentiments.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
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The Imperial City Sewers you’re meant to traverse while learning the basics of the game look hideous and vile.—
Jamal Michel,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This one says that offshore holding companies are wicked and should be penalized.—
William Baldwin,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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Of course, the wicked power of this franchise’s best installment extends beyond its initial stretch on a highway to hell.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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His dark worldview is premised on the pessimistic presumption that the world will turn on the Jews if given the chance, which is why the Israeli leader has long prized hard power over diplomatic understandings.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
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The videos look just like the photos, with unnatural colors and visible noise, especially in dark environments.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Villainous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/villainous. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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