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Definitions

bad guy

[bad gahy] / ˈbæd ˌgaɪ /
NOUN
villainous or criminal person
Synonyms
STRONGEST
antagonist antihero bad person baddie baddy cad knave miscreant scoundrel villain
STRONG
con convict criminal crook felon gangster gunman hoodlum lawbreaker offender robber thief wrongdoer
WEAK
bad actor malefactor reprobate rogue ruffian

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Or it at least doesn't make you seem as much the bad guy who just wants to cut people for cost-effectiveness."

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

They said he gave less direct feedback than Lasseter and seemed to never want to be the bad guy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Asked for his reaction to Bolton's indictment, Trump told reporters his former aide is a "bad guy" and "that's the way it goes."

From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025

Flighty and magnetic, Oliver trills that his clique is “one big happy family,” using his faux-obliviousness to shield himself from being the bad guy.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2025

On TV, cops need hard evidence or the bad guy gets away.

From "Forged by Fire" by Sharon M. Draper

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.