supervillain

noun

su·​per·​vil·​lain ˈsü-pər-ˌvi-lən How to pronounce supervillain (audio)
plural supervillains
: a fictional villain having extraordinary or superhuman powers
In more recent years, [Jon] Cryer appeared as legendary supervillain Lex Luthor in the CW drama Supergirl.Martin Holmens
… the issue will feature Spider-Man facing off against the Sinister Six, which includes supervillains Doctor Octopus, Vulture, Mysterio, Sandman, Electro and Kraven the Hunter …Jeremy Childs
also : a person or entity likened to a supervillain
On the show, [Elon] Musk suggests there is a "fast way and a slow way" to raise the temperatures of Mars before sharing the fast way is to "drop thermonuclear weapons over the poles." The idea is greeted by [Stephen] Colbert calling Musk a supervillain, to which Musk just casually responds, "Yeah." AJ Dellinger
compare superhero, superheroine

Examples of supervillain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The iconic blue-and black costume shows up, and young purple-skinned Oliver rumbles with supervillains twice his size after being formally included as a working member of the Guardians of the Globe. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2025 The supervillain musical Joker: Folie à Deux, the costly passion project Megalopolis, the video game adaptation Borderlands, the superheroine flick Madame Web, and the presidential biopic Reagan each racked up six nominations, including Worst Picture. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 21 Jan. 2025 And while acting talent might be surplus to requirements, I was saddened to see the marvelous Mike Colter show up here as a supervillain who slaughters some of his own men to encourage obedience in their comrades. Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 The supervillain is defeated by Superman and Batman in his lair. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for supervillain 

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of supervillain was in 1912

Dictionary Entries Near supervillain

Cite this Entry

“Supervillain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supervillain. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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