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View synonyms for villainy

villainy

[ vil-uh-nee ]

noun

, plural vil·lain·ies.
  1. the actions or conduct of a villain; outrageous wickedness.
  2. a villainous act or deed.
  3. Obsolete. villeinage.


villainy

/ ˈvɪlənɪ /

noun

  1. conduct befitting a villain; vicious behaviour or action
  2. an evil, abhorrent, or criminal act or deed
  3. the fact or condition of being villainous
  4. English history a rare word for villeinage
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of villainy1

1175–1225; Middle English vile ( i ) nie, vilainie < Old French. See villain, -y 3
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Example Sentences

Satisfaction does not insist on setting up clear categories of heroism and villainy, good, and evil.

And anyone, real or made up, who uses the phrase “low villainy” in a sentence—that man is my hero.

The picture he paints, though, is one more of failed good intentions then of imperialistic villainy.

Its portrayal of Soviet villainy was deemed too much for domestic consumption.

How much more diverting to focus on the villainy of a potty-mouthed Illinois pol.

The fact that no thorough scoundrel ever yet confined himself to one or two pieces of villainy.

If underneath his villainy there are concealed the instincts of a gentleman, let him have the chance of dying like one.

And we, the descendants of the conquerors; we knights tolerate such villainy!

He has been described erroneously as a master of complicated villainy.

That a due rigour and restraint be laid upon the second, that villainy and knavery might not be encouraged by a law.

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villainousVilla-Lobos