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
Most of the usual brigade is back, including the last movie’s additions: new IMF agent Grace (Hayley Atwell), French assassin Paris (Pom Klementieff), and villainous liaison to the Entity Gabriel (Esai Morales).
—
Ben Rosenstock, Time, 16 May 2025
During the Harry Potter segment, projections magically turn the ceiling into a night sky before the villainous Dementors fly past the moon and onto the surrounding buildings.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Based on the 2010 Marvel Comics series Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of our Feathers, the game will see Captain America teaming up with Black Panther to stop the rise of the villainous group Hydra.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
As villainous headmistress Miss Trunchbull, Emma Thompson was tasked with hurling students, but no child actors were harmed during the tossing scenes, which were filmed with the help of a professional hammer thrower.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for villainous
Ben Rosenstock, Time, 16 May 2025
During the Harry Potter segment, projections magically turn the ceiling into a night sky before the villainous Dementors fly past the moon and onto the surrounding buildings.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Based on the 2010 Marvel Comics series Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of our Feathers, the game will see Captain America teaming up with Black Panther to stop the rise of the villainous group Hydra.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
As villainous headmistress Miss Trunchbull, Emma Thompson was tasked with hurling students, but no child actors were harmed during the tossing scenes, which were filmed with the help of a professional hammer thrower.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for villainous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for villainous
Adjective
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Rakshasa’s evil beast fits thematically with the park’s nearby 1976 Demon looping coaster.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
28 May 2025
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Charlie Hunnam plays Arthur, who must rise to glory Gladiator style after his evil uncle (Jude Law) wrests away control of the kingdom following his dad’s killing.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
27 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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In 2022, Hemphill pleaded guilty to unlawful parading, a misdemeanor charge that got her two months in prison, three years of probation and a $500 fine.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2025
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The man faces one count each of first-degree assault or attempted serious physical injury, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest or detention by fleeing, and second-degree domestic assault.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 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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There are other objects of worship from the days when Japan’s Christians had to hide from vicious persecution, including a ceramic bottle of holy water from Nakaenoshima, an island where Hidden Christians were martyred in the 1620s.—
Foster Klug,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
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Years before the Kendrick Lamar and Drake imbroglio, Pusha T shared his own vicious diss track against the Canadian hip-hop superstar.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Finally, the mint julep is a vile almost undrinkable beverage.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
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Along with receiving vulgar comments in person and people taking her picture on campus, the 18-year-old has received vile and sexist messages after her phone number was posted online.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
1 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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One scene in the school pool does a particularly wicked job of emphasizing Ducournau’s strengths, as the director makes a visceral, bloody spectacle of Alpha’s social pariah status.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Dark Universe is home to one of the greatest dark rides of all time.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
3 June 2025
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Both were crucial mental health resources during that dark time, and both found a wider embrace online for their niche comic sensibilities.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Villainous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/villainous. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
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