villainous

adjective

vil·​lain·​ous ˈvi-lə-nəs 

1

a

: befitting a villain (as in evil or depraved character)

a villainous attack

b

: being or having the character of a villain : depraved

the villainous foe

2

: highly objectionable : wretched

villainously adverb

villainousness noun

Synonyms

• bad
• dark
• evil
• immoral
• iniquitous
• nefarious
• rotten
• sinful
• unethical
• unlawful
• unrighteous
• unsavory
• vicious
• vile
• wicked
• wrong

Choose the Right Synonym for villainous

vicious, villainous, iniquitous, nefarious, corrupt, degenerate mean highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct.

vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

Examples of villainous in a Sentence

villainous behavior that made him one of the most notorious figures in history and gave rise to the legend of Dracula

Recent Examples on the Web

After seasons of trying to stand by his values, taking on the villainous Viltrumite might have been Mark's final push toward embracing the darker side of being a superhero. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025

The Traitors capped off its third season with a victorious blow to its titular characters when four Faithfuls shared the crown after banishing all the villainous Big Brother players in their midst. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2025

The villainous Zero forces secretly take over the bodies of village locals in order to foster pandemonium on the planet. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025

The villainous drug boss Emery (Tom Payne) handcuffed Joey to a briefcase full of chemical weapons in one of the finale's last moments before taking off in a jet. —EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

villainous

adjective

vil·​lain·​ous ˈvil-ə-nəs 

1

: typical of a villain

villainous attacks

also : wicked

a villainous enemy

2

: very objectionable

villainous living conditions

villainously adverb