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scoundrel

/ˈskaʊndrəl/
/ˈskʌʊndrəl/
IPA guide

Other forms: scoundrels

A scoundrel is a person who does deliberately evil things. If your brother hides a fake mouse in your shoe and you therefore almost have a heart attack while getting dressed, you have every right to call him a scoundrel.

Though the term scoundrel isn’t used as much as it once was, it’s the perfect way to describe someone who breaks the law, has no morals, or someone like your sneaky sibling who loves to play practical jokes. Most villains in movies and on television can be put in this category. Interestingly, though women are quite capable of equally wicked behavior, this particular term is usually reserved for men.

Definitions of scoundrel
  1. noun
    a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately
    synonyms: villain
    see moresee less
    types:
    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
    perisher
    bounder
    type of:
    persona non grata, unwelcome person
    a person who for some reason is not wanted or welcome
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘scoundrel'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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