villainous

/'vilənəs/

Thân thiện

A villainous character plots in a dark, candlelit room.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Extremely wicked or evil in character or actions: Describes a person, action, or characteristic that is profoundly immoral, cruel, or criminal.
   • Of or befitting a villain: Having the qualities of a villain, such as being malicious, treacherous, or depraved.

Usage and Examples

• Describing a person's character:
  • The villainous king taxed the poor into starvation. (The king was extremely wicked and cruel.)
  • She was betrayed by her villainous partner. (Her partner acted with treacherous, evil intent.)
• Describing actions, plans, or deeds:
  • The detective uncovered a villainous plot to overthrow the government. (The plot was profoundly evil and criminal.)
  • His villainous deeds were finally exposed. (His actions were extremely wicked.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Villainous" often implies a level of evil that is dramatic, archetypal, or worthy of a storybook villain. It can carry a slightly formal or literary tone.
• It can be used hyperbolically to describe something perceived as very bad or unpleasant, though this is less common.
  • After a villainous day at work, all I wanted was a quiet evening. (Here, "villainous" is used informally to mean "terrible" or "awful.")

Variants and Related Words

• Villain (n): A character in a story or a person who commits evil acts.
  • The villain in the film was both intelligent and cruel.
• Villainy (n): Wicked or criminal behavior.
  • The extent of his villainy shocked the nation.

Synonyms

• Wicked: Morally wrong and bad.
• Nefarious: Wicked or criminal (often used for plans or activities).
• Diabolical: Belonging to or so evil as to recall the Devil.
• Heinous: Utterly odious or wicked (typically for crimes).
• Dastardly: Wicked and cruel.

Antonyms

• Virtuous: Having high moral standards.
• Noble: Having fine personal qualities or high moral principles.
• Heroic: Very brave or characteristic of a hero.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• While "villainous" itself is not commonly part of specific idioms, it is the adjectival form central to phrases describing archetypal evil.
  • A villainous rogue. (A wicked, dishonest person.)
  • A villainous scoundrel. (A person who is villainous and without moral principles.)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. extremely wicked
   • nefarious schemes
   • a villainous plot
   • a villainous band of thieves

Từ đồng nghĩa

• nefarious