VILLAINOUS Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'villainous' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of villainous are corrupt , degenerate , iniquitous , nefarious , and vicious . While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic. // a villainous assault

Q: When is 'corrupt' a more appropriate choice than 'villainous'?

While the synonyms corrupt and villainous are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations. // city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

Q: When is it sensible to use 'degenerate' instead of 'villainous'?

The synonyms degenerate and villainous are sometimes interchangeable, but degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition. // a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

Q: When might 'iniquitous' be a better fit than 'villainous'?

The words iniquitous and villainous can be used in similar contexts, but iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness. // an iniquitous system of taxation

Q: In what contexts can 'nefarious' take the place of 'villainous'?

The words nefarious and villainous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct. // the nefarious rackets of organized crime

Q: Where would 'vicious' be a reasonable alternative to 'villainous'?

Although the words vicious and villainous have much in common, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence. // a vicious gangster

villainous

adjective

ˈvi-lə-nəs

Definition of villainous next

as in evil

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable villainous behavior that made him one of the most notorious figures in history and gave rise to the legend of Dracula

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective villainous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of villainous are corrupt, degenerate, iniquitous, nefarious, and vicious. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

When is corrupt a more appropriate choice than villainous?

While the synonyms corrupt and villainous are close in meaning, corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When is it sensible to use degenerate instead of villainous?

The synonyms degenerate and villainous are sometimes interchangeable, but degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When might iniquitous be a better fit than villainous?

The words iniquitous and villainous can be used in similar contexts, but iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

In what contexts can nefarious take the place of villainous?

The words nefarious and villainous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

Where would vicious be a reasonable alternative to villainous?

Although the words vicious and villainous have much in common, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of villainous In the clip, Snow White escapes from Gadot’s villainous grasp, makes a run for the woods, and discovers the cozy abode of the seven dwarfs. —

Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 3 Dec. 2024 This villainous group use a team of assassins to enforce their rule, but prefer to keep behind the scenes. —

Mark Hughes, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024 And of course, there’s no better way to introduce your impressionable children to the villainous voice of Boris Karloff. —

EW.com, 30 Nov. 2024 However, one other villainous ensemble could wind up introduced in The Batman Part II, playing into Penguin’s takeover of crime and infiltration of the government and city elites. —

Mark Hughes, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for villainous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for villainous

Adjective

Millions of people around the world celebrate the Persian festival of Yalda, which marks the sunrise after the longest night of the year, said to be the night evil forces held the most power.

Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Much like 2014’s Ouija, a group of tedious teens unleash an evil entity haunting a specific set of tarot cards.

Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 17 Dec. 2024