# villainy

/vˈɪləni/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/villainy
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

very bad or cruel behaviour — the kind of things a villain does, like lying, cheating, or hurting others.

For teachers: wicked or criminal behaviour characteristic of a villain. Often implies deliberate cruelty or dishonesty for personal gain.

## Examples

- The story shows his villainy from the very start.
- The newspaper exposed the mayor's villainy after finding proof that he took bribes from builders.
- The novel traces her slow slide into villainy, showing how small selfish choices grow into cruelty that even she no longer recognizes.

## Synonyms

wickedness, evil, cruelty, crime, wrongdoing, corruption, dishonesty

## Antonyms

goodness, virtue, kindness

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.