as in hatefully
in a mean or spiteful manner
the robber villainously snatched the necklace from the old woman's throat
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for villainously
Adverb
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In other words, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.—
Derek Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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The legislation from Attorney General Brenna Bird also raises the penalties for threatening judges or their families and maliciously sharing their personal information.—
Stephen Gruber-Miller,
Des Moines Register,
25 Feb. 2026
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That language is weaponized so maliciously throughout Aïnouz’s second English-language feature speaks to his intent to unnerve the audience relentlessly.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Behind the front, bitterly cold Arctic air filters back into the area.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
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Since October last year, Russia has intensified its drone and missile attacks on the Ukrainian energy system, knocking out electricity and heat and plunging millions of Ukrainians into long blackouts during bitterly cold winter temperatures.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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And so wickedly smart to call it.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Fortune,
23 Jan. 2026
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And so wickedly smart to call it.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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An arm of the IRGC, the Basij are paramilitary volunteers notorious among Iranians for taking the lead in viciously attacking protesters in the streets.—
Kay Armin Serjoie,
Time,
1 Mar. 2026
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Pitbull ownership was banned in Independence from 2006 to 2023 after a man named Alan Hill was viciously attacked by several pit bulls.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
28 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Images of Labubus beamed malevolently from their packaging, as if gloating in their unreachability.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
20 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Villainously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/villainously. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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