Miscreant — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈmis-krē-ənt/ mis·cre·ant

Meaning & Definition of Miscreant

Miscreant (adjective)

  1. unbelieving, heretical
  2. depraved, villainous

Miscreant (noun)

  1. infidel, heretic
  2. one who behaves criminally or viciously

Miscreant (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a mean, evil, or unprincipled person

    "halt, vile miscreant, and face justice!"

    similar: baddie, beast, brute, caitiff, devil, evildoer, fiend, heavy, hound, knave, meanie, monster, nazi, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, savage, scalawag, scamp, scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, villain, wretch
    related: villainess, blackguard, criminal, crook, culprit, felon, lawbreaker, malefactor, offender, perp, perpetrator, transgressor, sinner, trespasser, wrongdoer, cad, heel, serpent, snake, viper, bandit, bravo, desperado, outlaw, con, convict, jailbird, assassin, cutthroat, gangster, goon, gunman, hoodlum, hooligan, racketeer, ruffian, thug, rough, rowdy, tough, loser, lowlife, ne'er-do-well, stinker, trash
    near: angel, innocent, saint, hero

  2. a person who has committed a crime

    "a youthful offender surrounded in prison by hard-bitten miscreants who had committed just about every crime imaginable"

    similar: criminal, crook, culprit, lawbreaker, malefactor, offender
    related: misdemeanant, accomplice, principal, desperado, outlaw, convict, jailbird, perp, perpetrator, evildoer, gallows bird, misdoer, misfeasor, sinner, transgressor, trespasser, villain, wrongdoer, blackhander, button man, gangster, hoodlum, hooligan, mobster, racketeer, thug, enforcer, gun, gunman, gunsel (slang), hit man, triggerman, backslider, recidivist, relapser, repeater, accused, arrestee, defendant, detainee, fish, suspect
    near: gangbuster, lawman

Miscreant (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in bad, wrong

    similar: bad, evil, foul, immoral, iniquitous, wicked, wrong, base, contemptible, currish, despicable, detestable, dirty, dishonorable, execrable, ignoble, ignominious, low, low-down, low-minded, mean, nasty, paltry, snide, sordid, vile, wretched, cruel, vicious, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible, corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, perverted, atrocious, villainous, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous, discreditable, disgraceful, disreputable, shameful, unworthy
    opposite: high, high-minded, honorable, lofty, noble, straight, upright, venerable, virtuous, ethical, honest, just, principled, righteous, right-minded, scrupulous, commendable, excellent, exemplary, good, moral, right, decent, proper, reputable, respectable, seemly, blameless, guiltless, incorruptible, irreproachable, uncorrupted, unerring

  2. as in secular, godless

    similar: godless, heretical, irreligious, nonreligious, religionless, secular, agnostic, atheistic, ungodly, unholy, blasphemous, impious, irreverent, profane, sacrilegious, unconsecrated, unhallowed, heathen, pagan, paganish
    opposite: pious, reverent, devout, God-fearing, godly, holy, prayerful, religious, sainted, saintly, worshipful, worshipping, consecrated, hallowed, sacred, sacrosanct, sanctified

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Miscreant

The most common words with a similar meaning to Miscreant:

baddie, beast, brute, caitiff, devil, evildoer, fiend, heavy, hound, knave, meanie, monster, nazi, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, savage, scalawag, scamp, scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, villain, wretch, criminal, crook, culprit, lawbreaker, malefactor, offender, bad, evil, foul, immoral, iniquitous, wicked, wrong, base

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Miscreant

Words with the opposite meaning of Miscreant:

high, high-minded, honorable, lofty, noble, straight, upright, venerable, virtuous, ethical, honest, just, principled, righteous, right-minded, scrupulous, commendable, excellent, exemplary, good, moral, right, decent, proper, reputable, respectable, seemly, blameless, guiltless, incorruptible

Related Words for Miscreant

villainess, blackguard, felon, perp, perpetrator, transgressor, sinner, trespasser, wrongdoer, cad, heel, serpent, snake, viper, bandit, bravo, desperado, outlaw, con, convict, jailbird, assassin, cutthroat, gangster, goon, gunman, hoodlum, hooligan, racketeer, ruffian

Near Antonyms of Miscreant

angel, innocent, saint, hero, gangbuster, lawman

Origin & Etymology of Miscreant

Middle English miscreaunt, from Anglo-French mescreant, present participle of mescreire to disbelieve, from mes- + creire to believe, from Latin credere creed

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Miscreant

What does "Miscreant" mean?

"Miscreant" means unbelieving, heretical. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: unbelieving, heretical. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Miscreant"?

Other words for "Miscreant" include baddie, beast, brute, caitiff, devil, evildoer, fiend and heavy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Miscreant" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Miscreant"?

There are 165 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Miscreant". Common alternatives include baddie, beast, brute, caitiff, devil, evildoer, fiend, heavy, hound and knave.

What is the opposite of "Miscreant"?

Antonyms of "Miscreant" include high, high-minded, honorable, lofty, noble, straight, upright and venerable. Near antonyms include angel, innocent, saint and hero.

How do you use "Miscreant" in a sentence?

Examples of "Miscreant" in a sentence: "halt, vile miscreant, and face justice!"; "a youthful offender surrounded in prison by hard-bitten miscreants who had committed just about every crime imaginable".

Is "Miscreant" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Miscreant" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Miscreant"?

"Miscreant" is pronounced /ˈmis-krē-ənt/ and divided into syllables as mis·cre·ant.

What is the origin of the word "Miscreant"?

"Miscreant" comes from Middle English miscreaunt, from Anglo-French mescreant, present participle of mescreire to disbelieve, from mes- + creire to believe, from Latin credere creed. First known use: 14th century.