miscreant
Noun: 1. A person who behaves badly or in a way that breaks the law; a wrongdoer, villain, or scoundrel. This term describes someone who commits misdeeds, acts immorally, or lacks moral principles.
The word "miscreant" is a formal and somewhat old-fashioned or literary term used to label a person as wicked, evil, or criminal. It carries a strong tone of moral condemnation.
- The sheriff vowed to bring the miscreant to justice.
- These miscreants vandalized the public park last night.
- In the story, the hero finally confronts the miscreant who stole the kingdom's treasure.
- Historical/Literary Use: Historically, "miscreant" could also mean a heretic or unbeliever (from Old French , "unbelieving"). This meaning is now archaic but may appear in historical texts.
- The knight accused the sorcerer of being a miscreant and a servant of dark forces.
- Miscreancy (noun, rare): The quality or behavior of a miscreant; villainy.
- His life was a tale of utter miscreancy.
- Wrongdoer
- Villain
- Scoundrel
- Rogue
- Rascal
- Malefactor (formal)
- Evildoer
- Saint
- Paragon
- Hero
- Law-abiding citizen
While there are no common idioms with "miscreant" as the core word, it is often used in fixed descriptive phrases: - "A band of miscreants": A group of criminals or troublemakers. - A band of miscreants was loitering near the warehouse. - "Wretched miscreant": An emphatic, often dramatic, way to describe a despicable person. - "Confess, you wretched miscreant!" the judge thundered.
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a person without moral scruples
