Synonyms for

Villain

Verb / ˈvɪlʌn / Another word for villain — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a person who does evil or wicked things

Synonyms & similar words

baddie scoundrel wrongdoer criminal scoundrel evildoer malefactor vagabond rascal rogue knave miscreant outlaw bandit thief robber pirate reprobate blackguard monster devil demon

Synonyms by register

Formal

antagonist nemesis scoundrel miscreant

Informal

bad guy jerk creep rat lowlife

Literary

fiend rogue wretch

Antonyms

hero protagonist champion savior rescuer good guy heroine

Common collocations

  • arch villain
  • supervillain
  • villainous plot
  • villain of the piece
  • villain's lair
  • villain's motive
  • classic villain

Word family

noun villainy
verb villainize
adjective villainous

Usage note

While 'villain' often refers to a fictional antagonist, it can also describe a real person who is wicked or criminal. 'Villainize' means to portray someone as a villain.

Example sentences

  1. The villain stole all the candy from the store.
  2. The hero in the story defeated the villain and saved the day.
  3. The police caught the villain and put him in jail.
  4. Don't be a villain and always be kind to others.
  5. The villainous character had a sinister laugh.

Quotes

  • Every villain is a hero in his own mind.
  • The villain is the person who knows the most but cares the least.
  • A villain must be a thing of power, handled with delicacy and grace. He must be wicked enough to excite our aversion, strong enough to arouse our fear, human enough to awaken some transient gleam of sympathy.

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