bastard
16 synonyms and 1 antonym for bastard, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — (offensive or informal) A thoroughly unpleasant, spiteful, or contemptible person.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
bantling
bastardling
bastid
batchelor's son
by-blow
degenerate
fruit of adultery
haramzada
love child
mamzer
misbegotten
natural child
nullius filius
outside child
slink
Antonyms
Etymology
From Old French bastart, "illegitimate child," probably from a Frankish word for an irregular union combined with the pejorative suffix -art.
Full origin of bastard →Frequently asked questions
What does “bastard” mean?
The word “bastard” means (offensive or informal) A thoroughly unpleasant, spiteful, or contemptible person. In plain terms, a strong insult for an unpleasant person, an old-fashioned term for a child born outside marriage, or (informally) a way to describe something maddeningly difficult.
How do you pronounce “bastard”?
“Bastard” is pronounced BAHS-tuhd (/ˈbæs.tɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “bastard” in a sentence?
Here is “bastard” used in a sentence: “He's a real bastard to work for.”
What is another word for “bastard”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bastard” include bantling, bastardling, bastid, batchelor's son, by-blow and degenerate.
What is the opposite of “bastard”?
The opposite of “bastard” — its antonyms — is legitimate.
What part of speech is “bastard”?
“Bastard” is a noun.
Where does the word “bastard” come from?
The word “bastard” comes from Old French. From Old French bastart, "illegitimate child," probably from a Frankish word for an irregular union combined with the pejorative suffix -art.
Is “bastard” a common word?
“Bastard” is a fairly common word in modern English.
