dastardly

[das-terd-lee]

adjective

1. cowardly; meanly base; sneaking.

   a dastardly act.

dastardly

/ ˈdæstədlɪ /

adjective

1. mean and cowardly

Other Word Forms

• dastardliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dastardly¹

First recorded in 1560–70; dastard + -ly

Example Sentences

The cabinet also said it "unequivocally condemns this dastardly and cowardly act that has led to the loss of innocent lives".

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It condemned what it called a "dastardly and cowardly act that has led to the loss of innocent lives".

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The Grossman Law Firm, which has offices in Southern California, outlines the reasons and means for removing a dastardly trustee such as your brother.

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Yet there’s no denying that Swift’s lyrics about love here lack the kind of depth she’s mined in tunes thought to have been inspired by the dastardly likes of John Mayer and Matty Healy.

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"Your dastardly hand drips of the blood of a martyr and freedom fighter who paid the ultimate price for the freedom and love for humanity, democracy, and justice," it read.

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Related Words

• contemptible 
• cowardly 
• despicable 
• underhanded 
• vile