villainous
Like a scoundrel
Villainous describes the qualities of a villain—wicked, evil, or deliberately harmful.
A villainous plot aims to cause harm.
A villainous character in a story opposes the hero through malicious schemes.
The word carries theatrical overtones, often suggesting exaggerated or melodramatic wickedness: He twirled his mustache with villainous glee.
Evil or slang-excellent
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
- heinousOdiously, shockingly evil
- vileExtremely unpleasant or bad
- depravedMorally corrupt, perverse
maleficent · fiendish · monstrous · despicable · dastardly · iniquitous · atrocious · abominable
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
- cruelWillfully causing suffering
vicious · ruthless · merciless · sadistic · brutal · heartless · cold-blooded · calculating
Persistent source of ruin
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- archnemesisChief adversary, longstanding
- evildoerOne who causes harm
- wrongdoerPerson who misbehaves
scoundrel · rogue · knave · blackguard · miscreant · cad · wretch · fiend
Conveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- shadowyObscured by darkness
lurking · creepy · eerie · chilling · unnerving · unsettling · intimidating · fearsome
Bent or dishonest
- unscrupulousLacking moral principles
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- fraudulentInvolving intentional dishonesty
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
shady · sleazy · venal · exploitative · profiteering · extortionate · blackmailing · racketeering
wicked
Evil or slang-excellent
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
- heinousOdiously, shockingly evil
- vileExtremely unpleasant or bad
depraved · maleficent · fiendish · monstrous · despicable · dastardly · iniquitous · atrocious · abominable · nefarious
malevolent
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
cruel · vicious · ruthless · merciless · sadistic · brutal · heartless · cold-blooded · calculating · scheming
nemesis
Persistent source of ruin
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- archnemesisChief adversary, longstanding
- evildoerOne who causes harm
wrongdoer · scoundrel · rogue · knave · blackguard · miscreant · cad · wretch · fiend · tyrant
menacing
Conveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
shadowy · lurking · creepy · eerie · chilling · unnerving · unsettling · intimidating · fearsome · baleful
crooked
Bent or dishonest
- unscrupulousLacking moral principles
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- fraudulentInvolving intentional dishonesty
underhanded · shady · sleazy · venal · exploitative · profiteering · extortionate · blackmailing · racketeering · double-dealing
- wickedevil, wicked, malicious, sinister, malevolent
- disgustdisgust, disgusting, disgusted, revulsion, repulsion
villainousheroic
Exceptionally brave and noble
noble · gallant · valiant · chivalrous · protagonist
villainousgentlemanly
Well-mannered and honorable
refined · decorous · respectable · proper · seemly