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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of villainous
This set features a scene from the climactic battle between the Avengers and the villainous Thanos.
—
Chris McMullen, Space.com, 10 July 2025
Robert Knepper is also introduced as the villainous Antonius, an original character who doesn’t appear in the books.
—Kelly Martinez Published, EW.com, 5 July 2025
More Pro Wrestling: Attitude Era Star Returns To WWE In A New Role
Since then, Mysterio has taken on a more villainous persona: hating his father, cheating to win, and turning on allies in order to do what's best for him.
—Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
But everyone in Season 2 had their villainous moments.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for villainous
Chris McMullen, Space.com, 10 July 2025
Robert Knepper is also introduced as the villainous Antonius, an original character who doesn’t appear in the books.
—Kelly Martinez Published, EW.com, 5 July 2025
More Pro Wrestling: Attitude Era Star Returns To WWE In A New Role
Since then, Mysterio has taken on a more villainous persona: hating his father, cheating to win, and turning on allies in order to do what's best for him.
—Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
But everyone in Season 2 had their villainous moments.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for villainous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for villainous
Adjective
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After an early tutorial sequence where players learn the ropes of controlling the powerful yet agile ape, the story introduces its antagonists: Void Company, an evil corporate mining operation hell-bent on creating a golden banana monopoly.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
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They weren’t built by the government, but rather by those evil greedy private corporations and individuals who are guilty of the heinous crime of providing millions of Americans with places to live.—
The Editors,
National Review,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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The Mann Act, also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910, is a federal law that prohibits the interstate or foreign transportation of individuals for prostitution or other immoral activities.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
3 July 2025
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Swaggart, in July 1986, had accused a megachurch rival, New Orleans First Assembly of God Pastor Marvin Gorman, of committing immoral acts with a number of women over a period of years.—
Frank E. Lockwood,
Arkansas Online,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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In a brief unsigned opinion, the Supreme Court said that the injunction issued by the district court was based on its view that Mr. Trump's executive order and directives from the Office of Management and Budget and Office of Personnel Management implementing that action are unlawful.—
July 8,
CBS News,
8 July 2025
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The dad was charged with violating his probation, parental kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the news release.—
Kate Linderman
July 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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And then, on top of it, I was born out of some affair like some illegitimate, sinful mistake?—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2025
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In New York, the story goes that the sloppily sinful sandwich on rye bread was named for the founder of New York’s Reuben Restaurant.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Stanton, demonstrating that there’s still plenty of power in his vicious swing, sent the pitch 401 feet the other way at 106.1 mph.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
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The author presents a vicious takedown of George Washington.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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The tweets, a vile departure from Elmo’s often inspiring and motivational social media cadence, were sent on July 13 and promptly taken down.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
14 July 2025
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Michael Kracker, the chair of the Erie County Republican Committee, posted the image on X, formerly Twitter, describing it as vile.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Tiernan McKinney often works on guitar necks, while Kennedy himself has input along the way on design, wood type, color and the wicked inlays found from top to bottom of each piece.—
Otto Rabe,
The Enquirer,
9 July 2025
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The Judean wilds are full of others seeking clarity, plus a wicked merchant named Musa sent to test and torment the young ascetic from Galilee.—
Mia Barzilay Freund,
Vogue,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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The duo stepped out in complementary dark ensembles, with Hayek wearing one of her favorite footwear looks — hefty platform heels — with a black velvet dress.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
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My perspective always seems a bit darker and less hopeful.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Villainous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/villainous. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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