dastardly
/dæs.tərd.li/
ADJECTIVE
1. Cowardly and lacking courage
Behaving in a cowardly manner, showing a lack of bravery, or being unwilling to face danger or difficulty.
1.1. Showing cowardice or fear
Displaying a lack of courage or bravery, especially when facing danger, opposition, or challenging circumstances.
Synonyms
- cowardly
- craven
- fainthearted
- pusillanimous
- timorous
- chickenhearted
- lily-livered
- gutless
- spineless
- recreant
- poltroon
Antonyms
Examples
- The soldiers condemned his dastardly behavior when he abandoned them during the attack.
- It was a dastardly act to flee while leaving others to face the danger.
- His dastardly response revealed how little courage he possessed.
Related Words
ADJECTIVE
2. Treacherous and deceitful
Acting dishonestly or disloyally, especially by betraying others, secretly plotting against them, or behaving in an underhanded manner.
2.1. Betraying or backstabbing others
Involving deliberate betrayal, disloyalty, or secret actions intended to harm someone who trusts you.
Synonyms
- treacherous
- deceitful
- underhanded
- traitorous
- disloyal
- perfidious
- faithless
- double-dealing
- untrustworthy
Antonyms
Examples
- The detective uncovered a dastardly scheme to betray the company's partners.
- His dastardly betrayal destroyed the trust between the two friends.
- The villain devised a dastardly plot to overthrow the kingdom.
Related Words
- betrayal
- backstabbing
- duplicity
- deception
- treachery
- conspiracy
2.2. Acting with wicked or contemptible intentions
Displaying morally reprehensible, despicable, or malicious behavior intended to deceive, exploit, or harm others.
Synonyms
- despicable
- contemptible
- vile
- base
- ignoble
- villainous
- wicked
- reprehensible
- dishonorable
- unscrupulous
- heinous
Antonyms
Examples
- The villain concocted a dastardly plan to seize power and overthrow the kingdom.
- The townspeople were horrified by the gang's dastardly deeds.
- The company uncovered a dastardly attempt to sabotage its reputation.
Related Words
- cruel
- corrupt
- depraved
- immoral
- evil
- disgraceful
- nefarious
ADVERB
3. In a cowardly or treacherous manner
In a way that demonstrates cowardice, betrayal, or deliberate dishonesty.
3.1. Acting cowardly
In a manner that demonstrates fear, lack of courage, or unwillingness to confront danger or responsibility.
Synonyms
- cowardly
- cravenly
- timorously
- fearfully
- faintheartedly
- pusillanimously
Antonyms
- bravely
- courageously
- fearlessly
- boldly
- valiantly
- gallantly
- dauntlessly
Examples
- The soldiers acted dastardly by abandoning their comrades during the battle.
- He behaved dastardly when he refused to defend the people who depended on him.
Related Words
- timidly
- weakly
- hesitantly
- unheroically
3.2. Acting treacherously or deceitfully
In a disloyal, dishonest, or underhanded manner, particularly when secretly plotting against or betraying another person.
Synonyms
- treacherously
- deceitfully
- underhandedly
- disloyally
- perfidiously
- dishonestly
Antonyms
- loyally
- faithfully
- honestly
- honorably
- trustworthily
Examples
- The conspirators acted dastardly to undermine their leader.
- He dastardly betrayed his closest allies to gain control of the organization.
Related Words
- secretly
- deceptively
- duplicitously
- conspiratorially