blackguardism

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈblæɡɑːrdɪzəm/ UK /ˈblæɡɑːdɪzəm/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
dishonorable, abusive, or scurrilous conduct characteristic of a blackguard

The memoir condemns the fraud and blackguardism that surrounded the campaign.
2

noun
an instance of coarse abuse, insulting speech, or contemptible behavior

The editor removed several personal blackguardisms from the article.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · dishonorable, abusive, or... blackguardryvillainy scurrility rascality

2 noun · an instance of coarse... abuse invective insult vulgarity

Opposites

decency honor civility

Word family

Forms blackguardisms

Derived forms blackguard blackguardlyblackguardry

Related forms invective villainy dishonor

Etymology

Formed from blackguard + -ism. Blackguard originally referred to low-ranking household or kitchen servants, then to a disorderly group and finally to a contemptible person. The suffix -ism turns that character into a type of conduct or an instance of it.

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# blackguardism

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈblæɡɑːrdɪzəm/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈblæɡɑːdɪzəm/

## Meanings
1. dishonorable, abusive, or scurrilous conduct characteristic of a blackguard
2. an instance of coarse abuse, insulting speech, or contemptible behavior

## Examples
- The memoir condemns the fraud and blackguardism that surrounded the campaign.
- The editor removed several personal blackguardisms from the article.

## Synonyms
- blackguardry
- villainy
- scurrility
- rascality
- abuse

## Antonyms
- decency
- honor
- civility

## Derived Forms
- blackguard
- blackguardly
- blackguardry

## Related Forms
- invective
- villainy
- dishonor

## Etymology
Formed from blackguard + -ism. Blackguard originally referred to low-ranking household or kitchen servants, then to a disorderly group and finally to a contemptible person. The suffix -ism turns that character into a type of conduct or an instance of it.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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