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SCOUNDREL
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately
Synonyms:
scoundrel; villain
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("scoundrel" is a kind of...):
persona non grata; unwelcome person (a person who for some reason is not wanted or welcome)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "scoundrel"):
blackguard; bounder; cad; dog; heel; hound (someone who is morally reprehensible)
gallows bird (a person who deserves to be hanged)
knave; rapscallion; rascal; rogue; scalawag; scallywag; varlet (a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel)
villainess (a woman villain)
Derivation:
scoundrelly (lacking principles or scruples)
Context examples:
“There’s a cold-blooded scoundrel!” said Holmes, laughing, as he threw himself down into his chair once more.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I was convinced that the scoundrel spoke of himself, and I saw my conviction reflected in Miss Dartle's face.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
The word “Frenchman” was hardly spoken without “rascal” or “scoundrel” slipping in before it.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The worst of it is that the poor boy will keep on this way until he deteriorates into a first-class newspaper man and also a first-class scoundrel.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
Were you addressing me, sir? says the doctor; and when the ruffian had told him, with another oath, that this was so, I have only one thing to say to you, sir, replies the doctor, that if you keep on drinking rum, the world will soon be quit of a very dirty scoundrel!
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
My business was to declare myself a scoundrel, and whether I did it with a bow or a bluster was of little importance.— 'I am ruined for ever in their opinion—' said I to myself—'I am shut out for ever from their society, they already think me an unprincipled fellow, this letter will only make them think me a blackguard one.' Such were my reasonings, as, in a sort of desperate carelessness, I copied my wife's words, and parted with the last relics of Marianne.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
“I know you, you scoundrel! I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler.”
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I have been under a Taboo in that infernal scoundrel's service.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
The only drawback is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
No communication—a—until—Miss Wickfield—a—redress from wrongs inflicted by consummate scoundrel—HEEP! (I am quite convinced he could not have uttered three words, but for the amazing energy with which this word inspired him when he felt it coming.) Inviolable secret—a—from the whole world—a—no exceptions—this day week—a—at breakfast-time—a—everybody present—including aunt—a—and extremely friendly gentleman—to be at the hotel at Canterbury—a—where—Mrs. Micawber and myself—Auld Lang Syne in chorus—and—a—will expose intolerable ruffian—HEEP!
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
