supervillainy
Megalomaniacal criminal behavior
Supervillainy is the behavior, schemes, or career of a supervillain—a larger-than-life evildoer typically found in comic books, movies, and genre fiction.
The term implies theatrical evil: world domination plots, secret lairs, grandiose monologues.
It can describe real-world misconduct when someone wants to emphasize its scale or absurdity: The CEO's supervillainy finally caught up with him.
Principal antagonist
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- originStarting point or source
- lairAnimal's hidden dwelling
- alter-egoAlternate version of oneself
costume · backstory · antihero · sidekick · crossover · retcon · manga · issue
Indication of potential harm
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- malevolenceActive ill will
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
nefarious · diabolical · destruction · chaos · havoc · rampage · mayhem · dread
Supreme feudal superior
- tyrantCruel, absolute ruler
- dictatorRuler with total control
- despotRuler with absolute power
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
kingpin · emperor · warlord · conqueror · ruler · megalomaniac · authoritarian · henchmen
Scheme's chief planner
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- ransomPayment for captive's release
ultimatum · trap · gambit · ploy · ruse · subterfuge · deception · blueprint
Mental object manipulation
- superstrengthExceptional physical power
- invulnerabilityImmunity to all damage
- flightAerial journey by aircraft
- shapeshiftingTransforming into other beings
telepathy · regeneration · invisibility · pyrokinesis · cryokinesis · immortality · intangibility · electrokinesis
Organized large-scale theft
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- extortionObtaining through threats
- terrorismIntimidation through targeted violence
- assassinationMurder of a prominent figure
theft · arson · smuggling · espionage · robbery · hacking · forgery · embezzlement
archenemy
Principal antagonist
alter-ego · costume · backstory · antihero · sidekick · crossover · retcon · manga · issue · panel
threat
Indication of potential harm
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- malevolenceActive ill will
sinister · nefarious · diabolical · destruction · chaos · havoc · rampage · mayhem · dread · foreboding
overlord
Supreme feudal superior
mastermind · kingpin · emperor · warlord · conqueror · ruler · megalomaniac · authoritarian · henchmen · minions
mastermind
Scheme's chief planner
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
ransom · ultimatum · trap · gambit · ploy · ruse · subterfuge · deception · blueprint · caper
telekinesis
Mental object manipulation
- superstrengthExceptional physical power
- invulnerabilityImmunity to all damage
- flightAerial journey by aircraft
shapeshifting · telepathy · regeneration · invisibility · pyrokinesis · cryokinesis · immortality · intangibility · electrokinesis · magnetism
heist
Organized large-scale theft
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- extortionObtaining through threats
- terrorismIntimidation through targeted violence
assassination · theft · arson · smuggling · espionage · robbery · hacking · forgery · embezzlement · ransom
supervillainysuperheroism
Exceptional bravery with powers
heroism · vigilante justice · altruism · noble deeds · saintliness
supervillainypetty theft
Minor stealing offense
petty crime · shoplifting · jaywalking · misdemeanor · minor offenses
supervillainypublic service
Work for community benefit
civic duty · law enforcement · peacekeeping · guardianship · philanthropy
super, villain, villains, villainy, villainous, villainously, supervise, superior, superb