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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective villainous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of villainous are corrupt, degenerate, iniquitous, nefarious, and vicious. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

When is corrupt a more appropriate choice than villainous?

While the synonyms corrupt and villainous are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When is it sensible to use degenerate instead of villainous?

The synonyms degenerate and villainous are sometimes interchangeable, but degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When might iniquitous be a better fit than villainous?

The words iniquitous and villainous can be used in similar contexts, but iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

In what contexts can nefarious take the place of villainous?

The words nefarious and villainous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

Where would vicious be a reasonable alternative to villainous?

Although the words vicious and villainous have much in common, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

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 villainous In this latest iteration, that fight is against the villainous Malgosha (voiced by Rachel House and performed by mo-cap actor Allan Henry), the Piglin ruler of the Nether underworld, who was created specifically for the movie. Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 26 Apr. 2025 As Bianca Belair, who’s been a key focus in this rivalry, continues to generate heel-like crowd reactions, perhaps a reunion with Naomi as a villainous duo makes sense. Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025 After a season filled with villainous elves, the resurrection of Kandy Muse's iconically hideous pockets look, and budding relationships in the Werk Room (and the bedroom), RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 crowned a winner. EW.com, 19 Apr. 2025 Her generosity is just one act of kindness and consideration that Sheff recounts to dispel the villainous reputation that has followed Ono though her life. Paul Liberatore, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for villainous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for villainous
Adjective
  • While the practice of using haint blue to ward off evil spirits might not be as common, the color has bled into the mainstream, with major paint companies like Sherwin-Williams and PPG Industries, Inc selling paint inspired by the shade.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • But who exactly is The Sentry, what are his origins, powers, and comrades in the fight against justice, and what’s the deal with his evil subconscious manifestation, The Void?
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Even children and adolescents express more willingness to shun and punish moral transgressors than people who do something personally obnoxious or offensive but not immoral.
    Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Regardless of what transpired between the two cast members, on or off screen, Aspen was unfairly portrayed as an immoral character.
    Taylor Crumpton, Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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.
    Catherine Pearson, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • That month, Drummond sued the board directly in the Oklahoma Supreme Court and asked it to rescind the charter contract and declare St. Isidore's establishment as a charter school unlawful.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Sammie’s father is right to be concerned, but wrong about the sinful nature of the blues—Sinners depicts musical talent as a divine blessing, a power that can pierce the veil between worlds, for good or for ill.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • April 20: Projections showed A Minecraft Movie remaining atop the box office this Easter weekend, but audiences actually felt more sinful than predicted.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Sandhagen dispatched Edgar with a vicious flying knee 28 seconds into that bout.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • In its most memorable moment, Walker dispatches a particularly vicious henchwoman with a harpoon to the neck.
    Mike Miller, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • While he’s gone, Louise really does give it the ol’ college try with Dane, who hurls threats, vile insults, and more threats in her direction.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Havoc brings the heat, throwing Tom Hardy's stony Walker into a hotbed of gangsters, dirty cops, corrupt elites, and wicked assassins.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Dafoe rocks an aerodynamic pompadour and wicked attitude as the leader of a biker gang who kidnaps a rock singer (Diane Lane) and has a showdown with her ex (Michael Paré).
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The bigger screen sizes each sit on two flat, narrow feet that are dark gray metal.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
  • This Georgia Rain style has a dark brown finish with distressing and burnishing for an antique appearance.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Villainous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/villainous. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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