Villainy

/ˈvɪləni/
noun

Actions or behaviors that are wicked or evil.

The villainy of the thief was clear when he showed no remorse for his crimes.
Visual representation of "villainy" - Actions or behaviors that are wicked or evil.

Often appears as...

  • commit villainy
  • act of villainy

Usage tips

Disapproving

noun

A criminal act or a cruel act.

The villainy he committed was too horrific to mention.
Visual representation of "villainy" - A criminal act or a cruel act.

Often appears as...

  • perpetrate a villainy
  • hideous villainy

Usage tips

Disapproving

Legal

noun

Actions or behaviors that are wicked or evil.

The villainy of the thief was clear when he showed no remorse for his crimes.
Visual representation of "villainy" - Actions or behaviors that are wicked or evil.

Often appears as...

  • commit villainy
  • act of villainy

Usage tips

Disapproving

noun

A criminal act or a cruel act.

The villainy he committed was too horrific to mention.
Visual representation of "villainy" - A criminal act or a cruel act.

Often appears as...

  • perpetrate a villainy
  • hideous villainy

Usage tips

Disapproving

Legal

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "villainy"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Cultural Villainy

Understand that 'villainy' may refer to acts considered evil by most cultures but can vary in definition across societies.

Illustration for Cultural Villainy
In some cultures, denying hospitality might be seen as an act of villainy.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Moral Judgment

'Villainy' often implies a moral judgment, suggesting the speaker condemns the actions discussed.

Illustration for Moral Judgment
His betrayal was not just disloyal; it was pure villainy.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Literary Device

In literature, 'villainy' can be used to describe the evil traits of a character, often the antagonist.

Illustration for Literary Device
Shakespeare often explored the depths of villainy in his characters, like Iago's schemes.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Cultural Villainy

Understand that 'villainy' may refer to acts considered evil by most cultures but can vary in definition across societies.

Illustration for Cultural Villainy
In some cultures, denying hospitality might be seen as an act of villainy.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Moral Judgment

'Villainy' often implies a moral judgment, suggesting the speaker condemns the actions discussed.

Illustration for Moral Judgment
His betrayal was not just disloyal; it was pure villainy.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Literary Device

In literature, 'villainy' can be used to describe the evil traits of a character, often the antagonist.

Illustration for Literary Device
Shakespeare often explored the depths of villainy in his characters, like Iago's schemes.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Cultural Villainy

Understand that 'villainy' may refer to acts considered evil by most cultures but can vary in definition across societies.

Illustration for Cultural Villainy
In some cultures, denying hospitality might be seen as an act of villainy.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Moral Judgment

'Villainy' often implies a moral judgment, suggesting the speaker condemns the actions discussed.

Illustration for Moral Judgment
His betrayal was not just disloyal; it was pure villainy.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Literary Device

In literature, 'villainy' can be used to describe the evil traits of a character, often the antagonist.

Illustration for Literary Device
Shakespeare often explored the depths of villainy in his characters, like Iago's schemes.
Visual representation of the word "Villainy"

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Video examples

What “Machiavellian”...

as a synonym for manipulative villainy. At first glance, The Prince’s reputation as a manual for tyranny seems well-deserved. Throughout, Machiavelli appears entirely unconcerned with morality, except insofar as it’s helpful or harmful to maintaining power.

Video examples

What “Machiavellian”...

as a synonym for manipulative villainy. At first glance, The Prince’s reputation as a manual for tyranny seems well-deserved. Throughout, Machiavelli appears entirely unconcerned with morality, except insofar as it’s helpful or harmful to maintaining power.

Example 1 of 1

Quote examples

Victor LaValle

American Author

I was dressed like Darth Vader. Vader was my man, even with the villainy. He wore all black and had a deep voice; he reminded me of my uncle. I had a cheap mask-cape combo, the kind available at any pharmacy during October.
Portrait of Victor LaValle

Quote examples

Mitchell Zuckoff

American Educator

Most travel disasters turn into something else: a story of survival, a story of bravery, of heroism, sometimes villainy. You just don't know when it starts where it's going to go because they are unexpected events.
Portrait of Mitchell Zuckoff

Quote examples

Roger Daltrey

English Musician

We weren't wealthy but we definitely weren't poor. We were incredibly rich because there was a wonderful community in Shepherd's Bush, where I grew up. All my friends were into villainy and crime.
Portrait of Roger Daltrey

Quote examples

Andrea Seigel

American Novelist

For me, one of the most beautiful and rewarding aspects of serial reality TV is that characters can move freely along a spectrum of heroism and villainy.
Portrait of Andrea Seigel

Quote examples

Miguel Ferrer

American Actor

I think villainy just comes naturally to me. I get to work it out naturally so I can be a nice person in life.
Portrait of Miguel Ferrer

Quote examples

Christopher Priest

American Writer

When you're talking about villainy, then you're automatically circling around to talk about justice.
Portrait of Christopher Priest

Quote examples

Richard Corliss

American Writer

Nixon's shifty eyes and perpetual 5 o'clock shadow made him a natural fit for caricatured villainy.
Portrait of Richard Corliss

Quote examples

Sophocles

Greek Poet

For those whose wit becomes the mother of villainy, those it educates to be evil in all things.
Portrait of Sophocles

Quote examples

Kevin Spacey

American Actor

I don't play villainy. I wouldn't even know how to play it.
Portrait of Kevin Spacey

Quote examples

Jonathan Frid

Canadian Actor

I'm interested in villainy.
Portrait of Jonathan Frid

Quote examples

Victor LaValle

American Author

I was dressed like Darth Vader. Vader was my man, even with the villainy. He wore all black and had a deep voice; he reminded me of my uncle. I had a cheap mask-cape combo, the kind available at any pharmacy during October.
Portrait of Victor LaValle

Quote examples

Mitchell Zuckoff

American Educator

Most travel disasters turn into something else: a story of survival, a story of bravery, of heroism, sometimes villainy. You just don't know when it starts where it's going to go because they are unexpected events.
Portrait of Mitchell Zuckoff

Quote examples

Roger Daltrey

English Musician

We weren't wealthy but we definitely weren't poor. We were incredibly rich because there was a wonderful community in Shepherd's Bush, where I grew up. All my friends were into villainy and crime.
Portrait of Roger Daltrey

Quote examples

Andrea Seigel

American Novelist

For me, one of the most beautiful and rewarding aspects of serial reality TV is that characters can move freely along a spectrum of heroism and villainy.
Portrait of Andrea Seigel

Quote examples

Miguel Ferrer

American Actor

I think villainy just comes naturally to me. I get to work it out naturally so I can be a nice person in life.
Portrait of Miguel Ferrer

Quote examples

Christopher Priest

American Writer

When you're talking about villainy, then you're automatically circling around to talk about justice.
Portrait of Christopher Priest

Quote examples

Richard Corliss

American Writer

Nixon's shifty eyes and perpetual 5 o'clock shadow made him a natural fit for caricatured villainy.
Portrait of Richard Corliss

Quote examples

Sophocles

Greek Poet

For those whose wit becomes the mother of villainy, those it educates to be evil in all things.
Portrait of Sophocles

Quote examples

Kevin Spacey

American Actor

I don't play villainy. I wouldn't even know how to play it.
Portrait of Kevin Spacey

Quote examples

Jonathan Frid

Canadian Actor

I'm interested in villainy.
Portrait of Jonathan Frid
Example 1 of 10
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