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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of villainous Been there, done that The Chiefs are now firmly in the villainous heel spot, long occupied by the New England Patriots and their all-time great quarterback Tom Brady. Americans have long complained about sequels after sequels in their sports title matchups. —

David K. Li, NBC News, 24 Jan. 2025 Anyone comparing themselves to Khaleesi at this point must know that the implication is rather villainous. —

Erik Kain, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025 More recently, Jovovich played the villainous Blood Queen in the 2019 Hellboy reboot. —

Danny Horn, EW.com, 27 Jan. 2025 Instead of hinging on Kang, who posed the sort of extra-dimensional threat across time and space that only the Sorcerer Supreme could handle, it's now shifted focus to the villainous Doctor Doom, as played by Robert Downey Jr. —

John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for villainous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for villainous

Adjective

One of the most recognizable celebrations is lion dance troupes, a dramatic tradition meant to usher in the New Year and expel evil spirits.

— Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
In defense of my actions, as a general rule, mother-of-the-bride dresses are evil monstrosities.

— Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025