blackguard 1 of 2

noun

Definition of blackguardnext
as in scoundrel

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blackguard

2 of 2

verb

as in to insult

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of blackguard
Noun
Edgar finds work in the hamlet of Dreng’s Ferry with Dreng himself, an all-around blackguard, but eventually Edgar’s intelligence and capability propel him into the building trade. — Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2020 Despite all the worry about Fukushima, smokers have been inhaling radioactive particles for decadesNicotine - murder weapon of choice for the 19th century blackguard, by Deborah Blum. — Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 May 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackguard
  1. scoundrel
  2. insult
  3. knave
  4. libel
  5. villain
  6. slur
  7. reprobate
  8. affront
Noun
  • But as with any good Leonard story, the best moments come from the characters, a rogues’ gallery of violent ruffians and neurotic, duplicitous scoundrels.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Hawks is the grounding force of Zero Company, the down-to-Earth scoundrel that keeps everyone humble.
    — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of scoundrel
Verb
  • Platner also apologized for old online comments that included insulting language about women, police and rural residents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Junior Engineers None of this is free, and pretending otherwise would insult the people who have to sign the budgets.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of insult
Noun
  • The knights who always told the truth and the knaves who always lied.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Try for yourselves, ye witless knaves— Take each to bed your Sally!
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of knave
Verb
  • In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.
    — George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of libel
Noun
  • There are no villains in Possible Love; there are only people who are aware of others, and people who are not.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The former Democratic speaker was the longtime villain, a mainstay in ads as Republicans linked Democratic candidates to her to paint them as radical and out of touch.
    — James A. Downs, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of villain
Verb
  • The driver, a 59-year-old man from Sterling Heights, had slurred speech and an odor of alcohol, according to police.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 June 2026
  • The Honda driver and his passenger told deputies the driver of the Toyota, identified as Walsh, was apparently intoxicated and had slurred speech.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2026
Definition of slur
Noun
  • Unlike Vegas with its cast of reprobates and wackos, this joint is classy and clean and just a wee bit indulgent.
    — David Weiss, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • They’re typically retired, sitting on pensions and 401(k)s, and may be naive to the techniques favored by con artists and reprobates who run riot on the internet.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of reprobate
Verb
  • Iraq similarly felt scandalized that its sovereignty had been so blatantly affronted and disregarded.
    — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • But the pop culture of twelve years ago is baffling, uncanny, affronting.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of affront

Browse Nearby Words

black flags
blackguard
blackguarded
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Cite this Entry

“Blackguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackguard. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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