Villainy (noun)

Wicked and criminal behavior.

Origin:

Middle english, from old french, from latin villainus.

Examples:

1. In Shakespeare's plays, villainy is often personified by characters such as Iago in Othello and Richard III in the eponymous play.
2. The police uncovered a vast network of villainy involving embezzlement, extortion, and money laundering.
3. The citizens were outraged by the politician's villainy, which included accepting bribes and kickbacks.
4. The detective knew that the only way to stop the villainy was to gather enough evidence to put the criminal behind bars.
5. The novel's protagonist is driven by a desire to avenge the villainy that destroyed his family.