dastardly

das·tard·ly

adj \-lē\

Definition of DASTARDLY

1

: cowardly

2

: characterized by underhandedness or treachery <a dastardly attack> <a dastardly villain>

— das·tard·li·ness noun

Examples of DASTARDLY

1. a dastardly attack on innocent civilians
2. <his dastardly conduct in a critical moment haunted him for the rest of his life>

First Known Use of DASTARDLY

1542

Related to DASTARDLY

Synonyms: chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, craven, cowardly, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], poltroon, pusillanimous, recreant, spineless, unheroic, yellow

Antonyms: brave, courageous, daring, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, hardy, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, valiant, valorous

Related Words: diffident, fainthearted, fearful, timid, timorous; afraid, frightened, scared; careful, cautious, wary; bashful, coy, shy; feeble, soft, unmanly, weak

Near Antonyms: audacious, bold, brazen, cheeky, nervy; plucky, spirited, spunky; determined, resolute

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See Synonym Discussion at cowardly