dastardly
/ˈdastədli
/ /ˈdɑːstədli/adjective dated or humorous
Wicked and cruel: pirates and their dastardly deeds...
- The debt recovery agency that carried out the dastardly deed is not expected to have its contract renewed.
- Can they be so dastardly and despicable as to attack the president during a presidential campaign?
- It is a classic tale of good and evil with an orphan hero, a plucky girl to befriend him, dastardly villains, a bit of a twist and an element of magic.
Derivatives
dastardliness
- For once I finally know who my enemies are, so I might as well treat them with the same dastardliness that they would treat me.
- Few, perhaps, could have reckoned with the peculiar dastardliness of dispatching a special ambassador to play for time until preparations for a surprise attack were ready.
- I love that game, it requires absolutely no skill or dastardliness.
Origin
Mid 16th century (in the sense 'dull or stupid'): from dastard in the obsolete sense 'base coward'.