supervillain

noun

su·​per·​vil·​lain ˈsü-pər-ˌvi-lən 

plural supervillains

: a fictional villain having extraordinary or superhuman powers

In more recent years, [Jon] Cryer appeared as legendary supervillain Lex Luthor in the CW drama Supergirl.

—Martin Holmens

… the issue will feature Spider-Man facing off against the Sinister Six, which includes supervillains Doctor Octopus, Vulture, Mysterio, Sandman, Electro and Kraven the Hunter …

—Jeremy Childs

also : a person or entity likened to a supervillain

On the show, [Elon] Musk suggests there is a "fast way and a slow way" to raise the temperatures of Mars before sharing the fast way is to "drop thermonuclear weapons over the poles." The idea is greeted by [Stephen] Colbert calling Musk a supervillain, to which Musk just casually responds, "Yeah."

—AJ Dellinger

compare superhero, superheroine

Examples of supervillain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The outcome of his story—that of a man widely considered to be Lotus’ supervillain—is going to be crucial to understanding creator Mike White’s overarching ideas about wealth, love, death, and other major themes. —Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025

Now with a new identity, Dog Man must stop feline supervillain Petey the Cat from cloning himself for the sake of a massive crime spree. —EW.com, 2 Feb. 2025

Are superheroes and supervillains the product of their childhood experiences? —Ars Technica, 16 Jan. 2025

All of which has finally led Sony to give up and admit their long-simmering plans for a big supervillain team-up movie and crossover with Spider-Man have been in vain. —Mark Hughes, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for supervillain

• ampicillin
• methicillin
• penicillin
• pyroxylin
• amoxicillin
• carbenicillin
• haematoxylin
• millon
• villain
• vanillin