scoundrelry
Acts of dishonesty
Scoundrelry is the behavior characteristic of scoundrels—dishonest, unscrupulous, or villainous conduct.
The word has an old-fashioned, literary flavor, suggesting roguish misdeeds rather than serious crime: The committee's scoundrelry was exposed when the documents leaked.
Also scoundrelism.
Moral corruption or evil
- iniquityMoral wrongdoing, grave injustice
- nefariousnessExtreme moral corruption
- heinousnessExtreme moral reprehensibility
- criminalityUnlawful behavior or nature
lawlessness · wrongdoing · evildoing · malefaction · felony · sinfulness · immorality · depravity
Lovable troublemaker
- knaveDishonest, unprincipled person
- scallywagMischievous person, often young
- rapscallionMischievous person, usually endearing
- blackguardContemptible, dishonest person
swindler · trickster · miscreant · cad · rogue · ne'er-do-well · reprobate · jackanapes
Intentional criminal trickery
- chicaneryDeception through clever manipulation
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- conArgument against
dupery · deception · guile · subterfuge · artifice · hoax · imposture · charlatanry
Breaking of trust
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- perfidyDeliberate breach of trust
- treasonBetraying one's nation
disloyalty · sedition · conspiracy · sabotage · subversion · collusion · intrigue · defection
Fame from misdeeds
- infamyExtreme public disgrace
- disreputeDamaged public standing
- dishonorLoss of respect
- shamePainful awareness of failure
scandal · ignominy · stigma · opprobrium · odium · discredit · tarnish · degradation
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- extortionObtaining through threats
profiteering · racketeering · skimming · venality · payola · plunder · pilferage · loot
wickedness
Moral corruption or evil
- iniquityMoral wrongdoing, grave injustice
- nefariousnessExtreme moral corruption
- heinousnessExtreme moral reprehensibility
criminality · lawlessness · wrongdoing · evildoing · malefaction · felony · sinfulness · immorality · depravity · turpitude
rascal
Lovable troublemaker
- knaveDishonest, unprincipled person
- scallywagMischievous person, often young
- rapscallionMischievous person, usually endearing
blackguard · swindler · trickster · miscreant · cad · rogue · ne'er-do-well · reprobate · jackanapes · mountebank
fraud
Intentional criminal trickery
- chicaneryDeception through clever manipulation
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- swindleDeception for financial gain
con · dupery · deception · guile · subterfuge · artifice · hoax · imposture · charlatanry · scheming
betrayal
Breaking of trust
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- perfidyDeliberate breach of trust
treason · disloyalty · sedition · conspiracy · sabotage · subversion · collusion · intrigue · defection · mutiny
notoriety
Fame from misdeeds
shame · scandal · ignominy · stigma · opprobrium · odium · discredit · tarnish · degradation · reprobation
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
extortion · profiteering · racketeering · skimming · venality · payola · plunder · pilferage · loot · nepotism
scoundrelryvirtue
Moral goodness or merit
rectitude · uprightness · nobility · righteousness · probity
scoundrelryintegrity
Moral soundness and consistency
fair dealing · good faith · trustworthiness · forthrightness · square dealing