scoundrel

noun

scoun·​drel ˈskau̇n-drəl How to pronounce scoundrel (audio)
Synonyms of scoundrel
: a disreputable person : rascal
scoundrel adjective
scoundrelly
ˈskau̇n-drə-lē How to pronounce scoundrel (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of scoundrel

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of scoundrel in a Sentence

some scoundrel stole my wallet
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
We would likely be relieved and elated for having caught these scoundrels in their evil deeds. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 Mar. 2026 But that just reinforces Samuel Johnson’s adage that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026 And the surviving cartel scoundrels take the parting shot by kidnapping beloved Carter, putting a hood on him and taking the boy off. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026 Political leaders who encourage or tolerate such scoundrels should be driven from office. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scoundrel

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scoundrel was in 1589

Browse Nearby Words

scouch
scoundrel
scoundreldom
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scoundrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scoundrel. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

scoundrel

noun
scoun·​drel ˈskau̇n-drəl How to pronounce scoundrel (audio)
: a mean or wicked person : villain
scoundrelly
-drə-lē How to pronounce scoundrel (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on scoundrel

Nglish: Translation of scoundrel for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All