as in brutes
a mean, evil, or unprincipled person
only a heartless villain would kidnap a baby for ransom
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Recent Examples of villains
There are villains in every episode and the story uses them to showcase some societal issues.
—
Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Eugene Domingo stars as Mauricia, a disrespected restaurant worker who, while watching soap operas one night, gets sucked through her TV screen into a training academy for villains.
—PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
That story line’s villains and betrayals are predictable in a way Mare never was, with characters who are either paper thin or overloaded with quirks.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
And once she is threatened with abduction by the villains, Ziva is back in glamorously brutal action to protect her.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
This was Shakespeare’s unique take on witches, who were usually cast in literature as more active villains.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement There are no heroes in A House of Dynamite, but there are no definable villains, either, which is what makes this film so unmooring.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Details on most of the roles are still under wraps, but Smith and Goth are set to play two of the film's villains.
—Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Mia Goth and Matt Smith were already revealed to be in the cast, playing villains.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Eugene Domingo stars as Mauricia, a disrespected restaurant worker who, while watching soap operas one night, gets sucked through her TV screen into a training academy for villains.
—PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
That story line’s villains and betrayals are predictable in a way Mare never was, with characters who are either paper thin or overloaded with quirks.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
And once she is threatened with abduction by the villains, Ziva is back in glamorously brutal action to protect her.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
This was Shakespeare’s unique take on witches, who were usually cast in literature as more active villains.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement There are no heroes in A House of Dynamite, but there are no definable villains, either, which is what makes this film so unmooring.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Details on most of the roles are still under wraps, but Smith and Goth are set to play two of the film's villains.
—Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Mia Goth and Matt Smith were already revealed to be in the cast, playing villains.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for villains
Noun
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Some are slow and heavy brutes that have tons of health while others are slightly but deal more damage.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The speculative element can take many forms—monsters, time travel, elevator operators with extrasensory perception—but the stories then usually adopt a more classic plot.—
Nathaniel Moore
September 10,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
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There are monsters in the Caves of Chaos that threaten the poor folks who live in the Borderlands.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Lawmakers in many states have changed the rules in recent decades to protect winners from being targeted by criminals and unscrupulous people asking for money.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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Her Eco-Age consultancy, targeted by criminals and forced to close in 2024 after 17 years in business, had advised clients on industry developments, changes to government policies and practical guidance on how to avoid greenwashing.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Weapons seems to break such cycles, leaving no more devils hiding in basements or upstairs bedrooms playing with dolls or ribbons of hair.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Biden’s autopen signature was used to issue major clemency orders in the final two months of his term that affected more than 4,000 individuals, including drug offenders and those placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Sep. 2025
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Produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order examines the criminal justice system and tells the stories of the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Over $200 Off NFL Sunday Ticket NFL fans can make out like bandits with the DraftKings Sportsbook welcome offer.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
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Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern were cast as the bumbling but dogged bandits, Harry and Marv, and Catherine O’Hara brought humor and compassion to the part of Kevin’s mother.—
Tim Greiving,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Over at Metropolitan State University, the on-campus gallery is presenting works from five Twin Cities Latino artists working across paintings, puppetry, photography and more focused on bestiarios, or fantastical, mythical beasts.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
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Terrifying beasts, murders most foul, posh French zombies and a sequel to one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Swashbucklers, scoundrels, bandits and buccaneers will soon be bellying up to the bar inside a lively new pirate pub at Walt Disney World that’s already booked solid for the first two months and promises to be a must-have reservation for visitors.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Villains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/villains. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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