as in evil
that which is morally unacceptable
psychologists and sociologists have tried to discover the roots of such unspeakable villainy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of villainy
Cosby’s good guys do things that outpace the rankest villainy in the work of other crime writers.
—
Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Once a hero himself, Shroud seems more disillusioned than diametrically opposed to the good guys just for the sake of villainy.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
Penn, giving a brilliant performance of cold villainy that could win him a third Oscar, is unafraid of lancing the inherent goofiness of a fascist.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Ultimately, Nellie’s villainy is discovered and she’s punished by her father, while Laura gets the guy.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for villainy
Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Once a hero himself, Shroud seems more disillusioned than diametrically opposed to the good guys just for the sake of villainy.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
Penn, giving a brilliant performance of cold villainy that could win him a third Oscar, is unafraid of lancing the inherent goofiness of a fascist.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Ultimately, Nellie’s villainy is discovered and she’s punished by her father, while Laura gets the guy.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for villainy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for villainy
Noun
-
The world of anime has seen all kinds of heroes step up to battle evil, but Rooster Fighter, based on a web manga by Shū Sakuratani, brings some hot chicken to the plate.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
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Some labor leaders were privately rooting for Paramount as the least of two evils, concerned about the impact that Netflix, historically not a friend to movie theaters, would have on the theatrical ecosystem.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While working together on The Unit, David Mamet once told you that good drama isn’t a choice between good and bad; good drama is the choice between two bads.—
Max Gao,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan. 2025
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Reports out of fall camp haven’t been super favorable to their offense, and while the defense will, again, be top-notch, a team with this bad of an offense cannot be trusted.—
Austin Mock,
The Athletic,
19 Aug. 2024
Noun
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On one side, a satanic figure named Randall Flagg who gathers his forces of badness to Las Vegas; on the other, the good guys, led by 108-year-old Mother Abigail in, of all places, Boulder.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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The show premiered over Thanksgiving weekend, when people were tired and full and bored (and probably also horny), and countered our world’s unceasing badness with its world’s buoyant sweetness.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Villainy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/villainy. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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