Dastardly

usgb/ˈdæstərdli/
adjective

Very mean and wicked, usually done secretly.

He executed a dastardly plan to ruin his competitor's reputation.
Visual representation of "dastardly" - Very mean and wicked, usually done secretly

Often appears as...

  • dastardly act
  • dastardly plan

Usage tips

Disapproving

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "dastardly"
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Negative Connotation

Use 'dastardly' to describe actions that are considered morally bad or evil by most people.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
The villain's dastardly scheme involved kidnapping the hero's sidekick.
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Sneaky Implication

'Dastardly' implies that the action was done in a sneaky or treacherous way, not just openly mean.

Illustration for Sneaky Implication
He was fired for his dastardly manipulation of the company's finances.
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Old-Fashioned Tone

Although 'dastardly' is marked as modern usage, it may sound old-fashioned, resembling language from classic literature or films.

Illustration for Old-Fashioned Tone
The detective revealed the dastardly culprit with a flourish.
Visual representation of the word "Dastardly"

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