scoundrel

[ skoun-druhl ]

/ ˈskaʊn drəl /

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See synonyms for scoundrel on Thesaurus.com

noun

an unprincipled, dishonorable person; villain.

adjective

mean or base in nature; villainous; unprincipled; dishonorable.

OTHER WORDS FOR scoundrel

1 scamp, rapscallion, miscreant.

See synonyms for scoundrel on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of scoundrel

First recorded in 1580–90; origin uncertain

synonym study for scoundrel

1. See knave.

Words nearby scoundrel

Scottsboro, Scottsdale, Scott, Sir Walter, Scotty, Scotus, scoundrel, scoundrelly, scour, scoured, scourer, scourge

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scoundrel in a sentence

Neighboring nations who reject this great mission are, at best, silly children in need of education, at worst, scoundrels and traitors who must be decimated, deported, and so on.
Russia's Problems Go Far Beyond Putin|Yaroslav Hrytsak|April 5, 2022|Time
It’s no news to anyone, for example, that the commanders at the Alamo, William Barret Travis and James Bowie, were scoundrels before the war with Mexico.
What people today — including Phil Collins — get wrong about the Alamo|H.W. Brands|June 25, 2021|Washington Post
It may have seemed like a novelty act at the time, but in the 13 years since, he has been credibly breaking bones and shooting scoundrels at about a movie-a-year pace.
The surprisingly durable second act of Liam Neeson|Scott Tobias|June 25, 2021|Washington Post
As she nods off at night, Arya Stark mutters the names of every scoundrel she plans to kill someday.
Game of Thrones’ Ep. 5 'First of His Name' Recap: An Ode to the Women of Westeros|Andrew Romano|May 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A c--t is different than your run-of-the-mill jerk (or scoundrel, or creep, or whatever).
Game of Thrones’ ‘The Lion and the Rose’: Joffrey’s Demented, Shocking Royal Wedding|Andrew Romano|April 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But all too often, as Samuel Johnson famously pointed out, “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.”
Putin’s Patriotism is Phony, His Desperation is Real|Andrew Nagorski|April 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Given a choice between the scoundrel and the scold, who might the people go for?
Bring on the Made-for-Reality-TV District Race Down South|Michelle Cottle|February 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Fox News scoundrel is at it again, this time going after the Girl Scouts for ties to a gay punk band.
Girl Scouts and Homosexual Overtones: The Worst of Bill O’Reilly|The Daily Beast|February 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The fact that no thorough scoundrel ever yet confined himself to one or two pieces of villainy.
The Garret and the Garden|R.M. Ballantyne
The ruler of Asturia might be a scoundrel, but he certainly was a scoundrel who was sick unto death.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
And she knew one thing that Vera Galloway could not possibly know—this man was a scoundrel.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
"And that scoundrel Weirmarsh killed him because he feared exposure," he remarked in a low, hard voice.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux
Aunt Maria was rather surprised and shocked to see such an excellent man look so much like an infamous scoundrel.
Overland|John William De Forest

British Dictionary definitions for scoundrel

scoundrel

/ (ˈskaʊndrəl) /

noun

a worthless or villainous person

Derived forms of scoundrel

scoundrelly, adjective

Word Origin for scoundrel

C16: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

scoundrel

OTHER WORDS FOR scoundrel

Origin of scoundrel

synonym study for scoundrel

Words nearby scoundrel

Words related to scoundrel

How to use scoundrel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scoundrel

Derived forms of scoundrel

Word Origin for scoundrel