Evildoer: meaning, definitions and examples

Used for a general description of someone who commits morally bad acts. Often used in literary or formal contexts.

• The hero set out to defeat the evildoer lurking in the shadows.
• In the story, the evildoer manipulates others to achieve their malevolent goals.

Refers to someone who does something ethically or morally wrong, without necessarily breaking the law. Common in everyday language.

• The wrongdoer apologized for causing harm to the community.
• As a teacher, she believed that every wrongdoer deserved a chance for redemption.

Used mainly in stories, films, or theatrical contexts to describe a character who opposes the hero and engages in evil actions.

• The villain in the movie planned to take over the world.
• Every good story needs a hero and a villain to create conflict.

Used to describe someone who breaks the law and engages in illegal activities. Commonly used in legal, reporting, and conversational contexts.

• The police arrested the criminal after a long investigation.
• He was convicted as a criminal for his involvement in the robbery.

This term is often associated with someone who engages in morally wrong or harmful activities. It can be used in both serious and less formal settings.

• The evildoer was finally caught by the detective
• Parents often told stories to scare children about evildoers in the night

This term is typically used to represent a character in stories, films, and plays who is evil or has ill intent. It often carries a dramatic connotation. It also can be used in real-life situations to describe someone perceived as evil.

• The villain's plan was to take over the world
• Everyone in the town saw him as a villain after his betrayal

This term is commonly used in literature, films, and other storytelling mediums to denote the main character who opposes the protagonist. It is more neutral and less emotional than other terms.

• The antagonist in the story was always one step ahead of the hero
• In many novels, the antagonist's motivations are complex and not wholly evil

A colloquial and informal term often used in everyday conversations and simpler storytelling. It is casual and easy to understand, generally without deep moral implications.

• In the movie, the bad guy chased the hero through the city
• Kids always love playing the roles of good guys and bad guys