dastardly
1 synonym and 4 antonyms for dastardly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Cowardly and treacherous, especially in a sneaky or underhanded way.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
dastard
Antonyms
How to use dastardly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
dastardly plot
dastardly deed
dastardly villain
Slightly old-fashioned and often used with a hint of humour, especially describing melodramatic villains.
Etymology
From dastard ("a cowardly, sneaky person") plus the adjective suffix -ly.
Full origin of dastardly →Frequently asked questions
What does “dastardly” mean?
The word “dastardly” means cowardly and treacherous, especially in a sneaky or underhanded way. In plain terms, describes a plan or act that is both cowardly and sly — the classic word for a cartoon villain's scheme.
How do you pronounce “dastardly”?
“Dastardly” is pronounced DAHS-tuhd-lee (/ˈdæstɚdli/ in IPA).
How do you use “dastardly” in a sentence?
Here is “dastardly” used in a sentence: “The villain hatched a dastardly plot to sabotage the race.”
What part of speech is “dastardly”?
“Dastardly” is an adjective.
