as in brute
a mean, evil, or unprincipled person
only a heartless villain would kidnap a baby for ransom
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of villain
The cast is interesting people to head out to theaters, with viewers sharing, ‘Glad to see Jack Quaid playing another villain role!
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Feb. 2025
After all, this is disparaging the legacy of iconic wrestling villains like Ted Dibiase and Rowdy Roddy Piper.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Though newspapers would later cast him as a villain for not coming to the aid of the Pacific, Sawyer claimed not to have heard calls for help or seen distress lights.
—Joel Sams, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025
His affinity for wrestling villains, or heels, adds another layer to his potential return.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for villain 
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Feb. 2025
After all, this is disparaging the legacy of iconic wrestling villains like Ted Dibiase and Rowdy Roddy Piper.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Though newspapers would later cast him as a villain for not coming to the aid of the Pacific, Sawyer claimed not to have heard calls for help or seen distress lights.
—Joel Sams, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025
His affinity for wrestling villains, or heels, adds another layer to his potential return.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for villain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for villain
Noun
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Smith has been on the outer of the Australian team in the T20 format, his weakest format where his lack of power can get exposed in a game dotted by muscular brutes.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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Maliki is a divisive brute whom Iran supports to the hilt.—
Dov Friedman,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2014
Noun
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Monsters Old and New One striking thing Wilds is how thoughtfully you're introduced to each monster and mechanic.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
11 Feb. 2025
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Other lands are Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic and Dark Universe, which features classic monsters such as the Creature From the Black Lagoon, the Mummy and brides of Dracula.—
Dewayne Bevil,
Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While the eastern grey kangaroos used in this trial are not endangered, many of Australia’s marsupial species are, including koalas and Tasmanian devils.—
Eric Cheung,
CNN,
6 Feb. 2025
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The search for wallabies, wombats, and Tasmanian devils in Cradle Mountain National Park is a classic part of the Tasmanian experience.—
Everett Potter,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Many citizens have come to believe that for too long, the rights of criminals have trumped the rights of citizens to be safe and free from violence.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2025
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Doing so will also mitigate the economic impacts, as criminals do not contribute to the American economy.—
Douglas Schoen,
Orange County Register,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Often regarded by historians as a collection of savage tribes, the Scythians emerge as a pivotal force of the ancient world in this monumental history.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2023
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Nearly 32 years ago, Rodney King’s savage beating by police in Los Angeles prompted heartfelt calls for change.—
Aaron Morrison, Claudia Lauer and Adrian Sainz,
Anchorage Daily News,
29 Jan. 2023
Noun
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If this blow connects with a beast's weak point, your hunter performs a powerful finishing attack that knocks the monster down, giving you a sizable opening.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
11 Feb. 2025
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Perhaps Davis will turn the Mavericks into a defensive beast.—
Eric Koreen,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Now that movie’s writer-director, Leigh Whannell, has returned to bring another classic fiend into the 21st century, with Poor Things scoundrel Christopher Abbott as a family man who starts feeling a little hairy after a full-moon encounter at his childhood home.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
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That this once-relevant scoundrel's fall from something like grace uplifts so many is a testament to the joy to be found in seeing a cocky operator get his overdue comeuppance.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This location can be found north of Tachov in the forests beside a bandit camp.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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The bandit wheeled and snarled at Herod, exposing his rotting front teeth.—
Louis Menand,
The New Yorker,
13 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near villain
Cite this Entry
“Villain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/villain. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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