evil-doer

An evil-doer hides in the shadows, plotting a wicked scheme.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Person who commits morally wrong or harmful acts: An "evil-doer" is a person who deliberately engages in wicked, sinful, or injurious behavior, often causing suffering or damage to others.
   • Malefactor: In legal or moral contexts, an "evil-doer" is synonymous with a wrongdoer, someone who violates ethical norms or laws.

Usage Examples

• (A person who committed harmful deeds.)
• (Individuals who persistently act wickedly.)
• (A character defined by moral corruption.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be an evil-doer by nature": to have an inherent disposition toward wickedness.

  • The philosopher argued that no one is born an evil-doer; circumstances shape behavior. (Innate wickedness is a contested concept.)

• "evil-doer in the eyes of the law": someone legally recognized as having committed a crime.

  • The court labeled him an evil-doer after his conviction for fraud. (A legal designation of guilt.)

Variants and Related Words

• Evil-doing (n): the act of committing wicked deeds.

  • The novel explores the psychology of evil-doing. (The performance or instance of harmful actions.)

• Doer (n): a person who carries out an action (neutral).

  • She is a doer of good deeds, in contrast to an evil-doer. (A general agent of actions.)

Synonyms

• Wrongdoer: a person who behaves unlawfully or immorally.
• Malefactor: someone who commits a crime or offense.
• Villain: a character in a story or real life who is evil or antagonistic.
• Sinner: a person who transgresses moral or religious law.
• Transgressor: one who violates a rule or boundary.

Related Idioms

• "to be an evil-doer in sheep's clothing": to appear harmless while being wicked.

  • The charming leader was revealed as an evil-doer in sheep's clothing. (A deceptive person with malicious intent.)

• "to give an evil-doer their just deserts": to punish a wrongdoer appropriately.

  • The vigilante sought to give the evil-doer their just deserts. (Deliver deserved retribution.)

Phrasal Verbs

• (None directly associated with "evil-doer" as a noun; however, related verbs include:)
• Do in: to kill or ruin someone (informal).
  • The evil-doer plotted to do in his rival. (Cause harm or death.)
• Do wrong: to act unjustly or commit a sin.
  • The evil-doer continued to do wrong despite warnings. (Persist in immoral actions.)