# dastardly

/ˈdæstɝdɫi/ (US) · /dˈɑːstədli/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dastardly
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

cruel and unfair in a cowardly way. You use it for a person or plan that hurts others by cheating or sneaking.

For teachers: cowardly and cruelly dishonourable, marked by sneaky or unfair harm to others. Often applied to villains or underhand schemes in storytelling and moral judgment.

## Examples

- The cartoon shows a dastardly villain with a black cape.
- The local paper called the phone scam a dastardly trick against older residents.
- The novel exposes its dastardly landlord, who forges letters and spreads lies while pretending to help his poor tenants.

## Synonyms

villainous, treacherous, underhanded

## Antonyms

heroic, Noble

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before the noun it modifies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.