as in brute
a mean, evil, or unprincipled person
only a heartless villain would kidnap a baby for ransom
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of villain
Mike Flanagan wrote the script for Clayface, a body-horror thriller centered on a Batman villain known for his ability to alter his appearance.
—
Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
The movie seemed rushed, lowering the villain’s impact, a prime example of how sequels disappoint excited fans like me.
—Lauren Uppal, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
Thurman's latest outing in the action genre entails playing the villain to Charlize Theron's hero Andy in the new film The Old Guard 2.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 21 July 2025
Quick fact: The voice of Darth Vader When the first two Star Wars films debuted, James Earl Jones asked not to be credited for providing the villain’s voice, believing David Prowse deserved recognition for the role.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for villain
Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
The movie seemed rushed, lowering the villain’s impact, a prime example of how sequels disappoint excited fans like me.
—Lauren Uppal, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
Thurman's latest outing in the action genre entails playing the villain to Charlize Theron's hero Andy in the new film The Old Guard 2.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 21 July 2025
Quick fact: The voice of Darth Vader When the first two Star Wars films debuted, James Earl Jones asked not to be credited for providing the villain’s voice, believing David Prowse deserved recognition for the role.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for villain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for villain
Noun
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King's polo playing husband, Bill Mitchell — who went on to become a director for Texaco — became the model for Daisy’s rich brute of a husband, Tom Buchanan.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
5 June 2025
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This freshly re-imagined Jag is worlds apart from that old German brute, but was similar in the sense of feeling wonderfully light and responsive, and utilizing hydraulic fluid to power its steering.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Osment joins the Happy Gilmore world as Billy Jenkins, a young pro golfer with a monster swing.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
29 July 2025
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In the day, how big could the real monster dinosaurs get?—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
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In his mug shot, Anton bears little resemblance to the handsome devil from the earlier composite image.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
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To play devil’s advocate to myself, though, this time around the contestants have air conditioning, which might have been a deal-breaker in order to get any contestants from The Golden Bachelor/ette there.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Anti-crime priorities In his remarks, Abbott also unveiled some get-tougher-on crime proposals, including eliminating parole for criminals convicted of child trafficking.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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And despite promises by the administration to remove the worst criminals, ICE deportation data from Jan. 1 to June 24 shows most people who were removed or detained didn’t have a violent criminal record, CBS News reported.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
28 July 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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For non-fans, professional wrestling is a strange beast.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
29 July 2025
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Liverpool In The Driving Seat For Isak Tracking back to Isak, the beast carrying the advantage in this transfer tug-of-war is Premier League champ Liverpool.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
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The actor has also played several scoundrels in Romancing the Stone (1984), L.A. Confidential (1997), and Heist (2001).—
Declan Gallagher,
EW.com,
21 July 2025
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Royal is a scoundrel, but Hackman finds his way to some really lovely moments: boyishly teasing Anjelica Huston’s Etheline about the old times or quietly consoling Chas about his really rough year.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
Noun
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The film, which celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, follows a group of seven samurai warriors who save a little village from annihilation at the hands of a group of bandits in 15th-century Japan.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
22 July 2025
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Riri joins their band of bandits — hacker Slug (Shea Couleé), pyrotechnic master Clown (Sonia Denis), enforcers Jeri (Zoe Terakes) and Roz (Shakira Barrera) aka the Blood Siblings.—
Ronda Racha Penrice,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Villain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/villain. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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