archvillains
Story's ultimate enemies
Archvillains is the plural of archvillain—a supreme or principal villain, the chief antagonist in a story or conflict.
The prefix arch- intensifies, suggesting someone at the top of villainy: Batman's archvillains include the Joker and the Riddler.
The term appears most often in comics, fantasy, and discussions of fictional narratives.
One who competes against
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- foeHostile opponent
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- mortal enemyLethal sworn adversary
sworn enemy · opposite number · counterpart · foil · bane · opposition · superhero · protagonist
Crafty, deceitful planner
- plotterMachinator or diagram machine
- manipulatorOne who controls cunningly
- puppeteerPerformer controlling jointed figures
- strategistExpert in planning campaigns
overlord · kingpin · mastermind · architect · orchestrator · ringleader · crime lord · evil genius
Harboring ill will
- wickedEvil or slang-excellent
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
- nefariousExtremely evil or villainous
heinous · dastardly · monstrous · depraved · vile · maleficent · despicable · corrupt
Indication of potential harm
- dangerExposure to harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
domination · intimidation · destruction · chaos · world domination · doomsday · apocalyptic · catastrophic
Showing no clemency
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- pitilessLacking any compassion
- callousCruelly insensitive to others
brutal · savage · remorseless · unforgiving · implacable · vindictive · cunning · calculating
rival
One who competes against
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- foeHostile opponent
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
mortal enemy · sworn enemy · opposite number · counterpart · foil · bane · opposition · superhero · protagonist · hero
schemer
Crafty, deceitful planner
- plotterMachinator or diagram machine
- manipulatorOne who controls cunningly
- puppeteerPerformer controlling jointed figures
strategist · overlord · kingpin · mastermind · architect · orchestrator · ringleader · crime lord · evil genius · supervillain
malevolent
Harboring ill will
- wickedEvil or slang-excellent
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
nefarious · heinous · dastardly · monstrous · depraved · vile · maleficent · despicable · corrupt · tyrannical
threat
Indication of potential harm
tyranny · domination · intimidation · destruction · chaos · world domination · doomsday · apocalyptic · catastrophic · genocide
merciless
Showing no clemency
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- pitilessLacking any compassion
callous · brutal · savage · remorseless · unforgiving · implacable · vindictive · cunning · calculating · relentless
archvillainsheroes
Admired courageous figures
superheroes · protagonists · saviors · champions · good guys