scoundrel Definition
a dishonest or unscrupulous person; a rogue.
Using scoundrel: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "scoundrel" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He's a scoundrel who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Example
The politician was exposed as a scoundrel who had taken bribes.
Example
She called him a scoundrel and stormed out of the room.
Example
The novel's protagonist is a scoundrel with a heart of gold.
scoundrel Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using scoundrel
a person who pretends to be good or innocent, but is actually dishonest or unscrupulous
Example
He seemed like a nice guy, but he turned out to be a scoundrel in sheep's clothing.
an adage suggesting that the best way to catch a dishonest person is to use someone who is equally dishonest
Example
The detective decided to set a thief to catch a thief in order to catch the scoundrel who had been stealing from the store.
Example
He's a lovable scoundrel who always manages to charm his way out of trouble.
Phrases with scoundrel
Example
He's a dirty scoundrel who will do anything to make a profit.
Example
He's a rotten scoundrel who deserves to be punished for his crimes.
Example
He's a charming scoundrel who always manages to get what he wants.
Origins of scoundrel
from Middle English 'skowndrel', meaning 'base fellow'
Summary: scoundrel in Brief
The term 'scoundrel' [ˈskaʊndrəl] refers to a dishonest or unscrupulous person, often characterized as a rogue. It can be used to describe a variety of individuals, from corrupt politicians to charming con artists. Phrases like 'dirty scoundrel' and 'charming scoundrel' add nuance to the term, while idioms like 'a scoundrel in sheep's clothing' and 'to catch a scoundrel, set a thief to catch a thief' offer additional context.
