DASTARDLY Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'dastardly' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dastardly are cowardly , craven , and pusillanimous . While all these words mean "having or showing a lack of courage," dastardly often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous. // a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians

Q: When is it sensible to use 'cowardly' instead of 'dastardly'?

The synonyms cowardly and dastardly are sometimes interchangeable, but cowardly implies a weak or ignoble lack of courage. // a cowardly failure to stand up for principle

Q: Where would 'craven' be a reasonable alternative to 'dastardly'?

The words craven and dastardly can be used in similar contexts, but craven suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance. // secretly despised her own craven yes-men

Q: When would 'pusillanimous' be a good substitute for 'dastardly'?

While the synonyms pusillanimous and dastardly are close in meaning, pusillanimous suggests a contemptible lack of courage. // the pusillanimous fear of a future full of possibility

dastardly

adjective

ˈda-stərd-lē

Definition of dastardly

as in cowardly

having or showing a shameful lack of courage his dastardly conduct in a critical moment haunted him for the rest of his life

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective dastardly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dastardly are cowardly, craven, and pusillanimous. While all these words mean "having or showing a lack of courage," dastardly often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous.

a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians

When is it sensible to use cowardly instead of dastardly?

The synonyms cowardly and dastardly are sometimes interchangeable, but cowardly implies a weak or ignoble lack of courage.

a cowardly failure to stand up for principle

Where would craven be a reasonable alternative to dastardly?

The words craven and dastardly can be used in similar contexts, but craven suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance.

secretly despised her own craven yes-men

When would pusillanimous be a good substitute for dastardly?

While the synonyms pusillanimous and dastardly are close in meaning, pusillanimous suggests a contemptible lack of courage.

the pusillanimous fear of a future full of possibility

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 dastardly Wondering when all those dastardly interstate constructions are finally going to stop blocking your way? — Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 17 July 2026 And not only thanks to the presence of George MacKay, Frank Dillane, and Herbert Nordrum as this film’s trio of dashing (and in some instances, dastardly) suitors to the Dashwood sisters. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 15 July 2026 All that was left was a single high heel, no doubt dislodged after the host put up an epic struggle against her dastardly kidnapper. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026 Saving people from dastardly supervillains and disastrous earthquakes, those are jobs for Superman. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dastardly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dastardly

Adjective

To know that a torture as violent as rape is about to happen ‘upstairs’ and not do ANYTHING ABOUT IT, is sick, cowardly and cold.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
In the case stood the cowardly lion's costume from the original film The Wizard of Oz from 1938.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of cowardly

Adjective

Did my eyes widen, revealing a craven journalist ready to pounce on an exclusive?

— Jason Sheeler, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026
She was especially hurt that some of the people who criticized Cox most harshly, dismissing him as craven and disingenuous, were those who had the closest relationships with him.

— McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of craven

Adjective

Many members of the public also described to reporters and on social media feeling intimidated, scared and harassed by heavily armed security guards hired by the film company to keep the public off streets closed for the movie set.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
More than anything, this adaptation feels scared of being too unlikable or scaring anyone too much.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of scared

Adjective

The capital’s numerous skyscrapers amplified the sensation of movement, sending frightened residents into streets and open spaces.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, some of the frightened and wary passengers wondered about them and whether they could be trusted.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of frightened

Adjective

Some also have lost lawyers, dismayed by the pusillanimous behavior of their leaders.

— Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
The second believed the United States could attain comprehensive security through military-technological means and saw diplomacy as a quixotic or pusillanimous enterprise that dishonored and weakened the country.

— A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

Definition of pusillanimous

Adjective

Red indicates an address is unsafe to enter, while yellow restricts use.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
These cheery yellow flowers produce a thin, needlelike seed that is rich with oil and dense with nutrients that towhees, nuthatches, cardinals and even robins adore into January.

— Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of yellow

Adjective

Yes, Arsenal fan Neel from New Delhi held his nerve on the final day to shake off the persistent and heroic challenge of six-year-old Wilfred — and the meandering, distinctly unheroic challenge of a 51-year-old journalist.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 26 May 2026
That larger significance is remarkably unheroic and fatalistic.

— Gabriel Winslow-Yost, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

Definition of unheroic

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“Dastardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dastardly. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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