scoundrel

noun

scoun·​drel ˈskau̇n-drəl 

: a disreputable person : rascal

scoundrel adjective

scoundrelly

ˈskau̇n-drə-lē 

adjective

Synonyms

• baddie
• baddy
• beast
• brute
• caitiff
• devil
• evildoer
• fiend
• heavy
• hound
• knave
• meanie
• meany
• miscreant
• monster
• nazi
• no-good
• rapscallion
• rascal
• reprobate
• rogue
• savage
• scalawag
• scallywag
• scamp
• scapegrace
• varlet
• villain
• wretch

Examples of scoundrel in a Sentence

some scoundrel stole my wallet

Recent Examples on the Web

The first episode was a huge departure for the series, starring Bradley Cooper as a Civil War-era scoundrel, ancestor to the Gemstones, and the main cast wasn’t there at all. —Paul Tassi, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

One thing was certain: Per its title, it was set in the demimonde of the galaxy far, far away, among its scoundrels, and smugglers, and bounty hunters and assorted other criminals. —Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025

Also, the Premier League are scoundrels for botching Chelsea’s plan for replacing an injured player by simply buying a new one. —Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025

Giacomo Casanova, who lived from 1725 to 1798, was a lawyer, a writer, an adventurer, a gambler and a scoundrel who found himself on the wrong side of the law. —Ray Mark Rinaldi, The Denver Post, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

scoundrel

noun

scoun·​drel ˈskau̇n-drəl 

: a mean or wicked person : villain

scoundrelly

-drə-lē 

adjective