scoundrel
/'skaundrəl/
Definition
Noun: A person who is morally reprehensible, dishonest, or wicked; someone who deliberately engages in evil or unscrupulous behavior.
Usage
The word "scoundrel" is a strong, somewhat old-fashioned term used to describe a person of very low moral character. It often implies a charming or deceitful nature and is used to express strong disapproval or contempt.
Examples
- That scoundrel cheated his own business partners out of millions.
- In classic literature, the hero often defeats a dastardly scoundrel.
- He was nothing but a lying scoundrel who couldn't be trusted.
Advanced Usage
- "A complete/total scoundrel": Used for emphasis to describe someone utterly without principle.
- After he abandoned his family, everyone knew he was a complete scoundrel.
- "Rogue and scoundrel": Often paired with "rogue" for literary or emphatic effect, though they are close synonyms.
- The novel's villain was a charming rogue and an unrepentant scoundrel.
Variants and Related Words
- Scoundrelly (adjective): Having the qualities of a scoundrel; villainous.
- His scoundrelly behavior finally caught up with him.
Synonyms
- Rogue: A dishonest or unprincipled man, but can sometimes imply a mischievous charm.
- Villain: A character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot; a cruelly malicious person.
- Reprobate: An unprincipled or depraved person.
- Cad: A man who behaves dishonorably, especially toward a woman (dated, chiefly British).
Idioms
- "A scoundrel in silk stockings": An idiom describing a sophisticated or high-society person who is, at heart, a villain.
- The corrupt politician was a scoundrel in silk stockings, using his charm to hide his crimes.
Noun
-
a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately
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