Definition

Noun: - Despicable cowardice; contemptible lack of courage: The quality or state of being a dastard; characterized by mean-spirited, sneaky, or treacherous behavior stemming from fear.

Usage

• This word is a formal and literary term used to describe a particularly vile or shameful form of cowardice. It implies not just fear, but maliciousness and betrayal.
• It is often used in historical or narrative contexts to condemn a person's character or a specific treacherous act.

Examples

• The dastardliness of the plot to poison the king shocked the entire court.
• He was remembered not for his failures, but for the dastardliness of his betrayal.
• The general accused the spy of sheer dastardliness for selling secrets to the enemy.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in a moral or judgmental context to express strong condemnation.
• It can be used abstractly to describe the nature of an action: "the dastardliness of the crime."

Variants and Related Words

• Dastard (noun): A person who commits malicious, cowardly acts.
  • The villain in the story was a complete dastard.
• Dastardly (adjective): Characterized by underhanded malice and cowardice.
  • He was known for his dastardly schemes.

Synonyms

• Cowardice: Lack of bravery.
• Treachery: Betrayal of trust.
• Perfidy: Deceitfulness; untrustworthiness.
• Baseness: Lack of moral principles; despicable character.

Antonyms

• Courage: The ability to do something frightening.
• Bravery: Brave behavior or character.
• Heroism: Great bravery.
• Fortitude: Courage in pain or adversity.

Related Idioms

• While there is no common idiom using the exact word "dastardliness," the concept is related to idioms describing cowardly or treacherous acts, such as "stab someone in the back" or "hit below the belt."

Noun

1. despicable cowardice