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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of villainous
Following a trip to Bash Steed’s villainous lair, our trio returns home, where they’re confronted by Renée Zellweger’s Camila White.
—
Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 7 Oct. 2025
Although Sarandon often gravitated toward villainous roles for their mystery and allure, the horror film ultimately failed to resonate with audiences.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
In the ride’s storyline, recruits are enlisted to join a battle between the villainous First Order and the heroic Resistance.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Sig, Jedi Bob, Yesi, Servo, and the villainous Dev return to face a new enemy—the powerful and mysterious Solitus.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for villainous
Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 7 Oct. 2025
Although Sarandon often gravitated toward villainous roles for their mystery and allure, the horror film ultimately failed to resonate with audiences.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
In the ride’s storyline, recruits are enlisted to join a battle between the villainous First Order and the heroic Resistance.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Sig, Jedi Bob, Yesi, Servo, and the villainous Dev return to face a new enemy—the powerful and mysterious Solitus.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for villainous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for villainous
Adjective
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They are known as witches or evil shamans with the ability to shape-shift into animals or other people and are both feared and respected.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Also nominated, Pohl starred as evil Esme Prince on General Hospital.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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It was considered immoral to lie and the whole point of writing things down back then was to increase morality and improve society, so there really is no didactic history of forgery.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
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Unlike previous seasons, Dorothy never makes immoral choices.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The government’s lawyers argued the ruling effectively guts a statute aimed at reducing gun violence by preventing unlawful drug users from wielding firearms.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
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He was arrested and booked into a juvenile detention center on suspicion of reckless driving, unlawful flight from a pursuing law enforcement vehicle, striking fixtures on a highway, excessive speeds, criminal trespass and other charges, the release said.—
Julie Mendes,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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No one knows the cake’s origin, but people like to offer theories on its name: Some say the word devil is a nod to the sinful dark chocolate, reminiscent of devil’s food cake.—
Sheri Castle,
Southern Living,
22 Sep. 2025
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In an important variation, medieval soldiers returning from war regularly spent an extended period of penance in monasteries – a recognition of Catholicism’s teaching that any war is inherently sinful.—
Timothy Gabrielli,
The Conversation,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Those stiffed in this initial round are rendered unable to meet their own bills and a vicious cycle ensues.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
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In Black Phone 2, McGraw has been upgraded to the de facto lead actor, and Gwen’s foul-mouthed takedowns are even more vicious.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Marty Muggle-Wump is part of the clever monkey duo determined to outsmart their vile captors, perfectly voiced by Timothy Simons.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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The vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic dialogue that has been reported is deeply disturbing.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Misiorowski had made Edman look foolish in their first matchup, getting the infielder to swing through a wicked curveball.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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Niehuus, an entertainmen lawyer by training but someone with a wicked wit, succeeds Bernd Neumann, an esteemed former minister of culture in the German government, who has stepped down.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For a darker experience in the City of Light, venture beneath Paris and explore its hundreds of miles of catacombs.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
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Patrick wore a classic dark grey suit with coordinating pants and jacket.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Villainous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/villainous. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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