scoundrels
Morally bankrupt individuals
Scoundrels is the plural of scoundrel, a person without moral principles—someone who lies, cheats, or behaves dishonorably.
The word has an old-fashioned, almost theatrical quality: Those scoundrels made off with the treasury.
It can be used affectionately for mischievous rogues: My brothers were lovable scoundrels.
Someone who plays tricks
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- impMinor mischief-making devil
- rascalLovable troublemaker
- scampMischievous young person
urchin · gamin · pixie · troublemaker · hellion · rapscallion · impish · puckish
Dishonest or uncontrolled agent
- rascalLovable troublemaker
- rapscallionMischievous person, usually endearing
- scampMischievous young person
- devilEvil supernatural entity
rake · cad · lovable · roguish · mischievous · charismatic · witty · debonair
Fugitive from justice
- banditArmed roadside thief
- gangsterCriminal organization member
- mobsterOrganized crime member
- thugViolent criminal
hoodlum · crook · felon · fugitive · desperado · highwayman · smuggler · bootlegger
Person who deceives for money
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- cheatAct dishonestly to win
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
charlatan · grifter · mountebank · hustler · flimflam · snake · liar · schemer
prankster
Someone who plays tricks
scamp · urchin · gamin · pixie · troublemaker · hellion · rapscallion · impish · puckish · waggish
rogue
Dishonest or uncontrolled agent
- rascalLovable troublemaker
- rapscallionMischievous person, usually endearing
- scampMischievous young person
devil · rake · cad · lovable · roguish · mischievous · charismatic · witty · debonair · suave
outlaw
Fugitive from justice
thug · hoodlum · crook · felon · fugitive · desperado · highwayman · smuggler · bootlegger · racketeer
swindler
Person who deceives for money
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- cheatAct dishonestly to win
impostor · charlatan · grifter · mountebank · hustler · flimflam · snake · liar · schemer · conniving
villain
Wicked story antagonist
- evildoerOne who causes harm
- malefactorOne who does harm
- wrongdoerPerson who misbehaves
miscreant · fiend · blackguard · knave · reprobate · wretch · varlet · caitiff · dastard · cur
renegade
Deserter of a cause
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
- outcastShunned, rejected person
- pariahRejected, shunned person
exile · anarchist · dissident · insurgent · mutineer · defector · traitor · turncoat · deserter · black sheep
- roguesrogue, rogues, rascal, rascals, knave
- troublemakerstroublemaker, rascals, delinquents, imps, brats
- disgracedishonor, disgrace, downfall, stigma, scandal
- tough guystough guys, tough guy, thug, thugs, enforcer
- villainsvillain, antagonists, Darth Vader, evil characters, Joker
- slackersslackers, loafers, idlers, idler, layabouts
scoundrelssaints
Canonized religious figures
heroes · angels · do-gooders · innocents · gentlemen
scoundrelsgentlemen
Men of refinement
ladies and gentlemen · dignitaries · worthies · pillars of the community · notables