villainous
adjective
vil·lain·ous
ˈvi-lə-nəs 
1
2
: highly objectionable : wretched
villainously
adverb
villainousness
noun
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
The new movie takes great care to wind story details from films throughout the franchise into its storyline as Ethan and his team fight to prevent villainous hands from gaining control over the artificial intelligence known as the Entity and potentially destroying the world in the process.
—
Tommy McArdle, People.com, 23 May 2025
Organizers say visitors should feel free to come in costume and unleash their inner superhero (or embrace their villainous side) for an epic showdown at the second annual fundraiser, themed Heroes & Villains this year.
—Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
The highlight by far is a fantastically villainous turn by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman as a sadistic arms dealer.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 May 2025
The movies deliver and Lionsgate is gathering a strong cast for the latest installment, with Ralph Fiennes the latest addition as villainous President Coriolanus Snow, joining Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor and Ben Wang.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for villainous
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.
Tommy McArdle, People.com, 23 May 2025
Organizers say visitors should feel free to come in costume and unleash their inner superhero (or embrace their villainous side) for an epic showdown at the second annual fundraiser, themed Heroes & Villains this year.
—Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
The highlight by far is a fantastically villainous turn by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman as a sadistic arms dealer.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 May 2025
The movies deliver and Lionsgate is gathering a strong cast for the latest installment, with Ralph Fiennes the latest addition as villainous President Coriolanus Snow, joining Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor and Ben Wang.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for villainous
Cite this Entry
“Villainous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/villainous. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
villainous
adjective
vil·lain·ous
ˈvil-ə-nəs
1
: typical of a villain
villainous attacks
2
: very objectionable
villainous living conditions
villainously
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share