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I am trying to find a word that can be used in formal situations for referring to an unprincipled, unpleasant person. I'm looking for a more formal or civil way to say this, rather than the uncivil “He’s a jerk/bastard.”.

There is an old word, “scoundrel” which is no longer used but which is close to the word I’m looking for.

Does anyone know of such a word?

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    Scoundrel isn't particularly common these days but I wouldn't say it was no longer used. So you're after a word in common modern usage?
    – KillingTime
    Commented Mar 27, 2023 at 9:20
  • There is a question on a word for a very evil person, which maybe isn't the same thing? Also one on the modern equivalent of scoundrel but the answers are mostly informal. But I'd say using those and a thesaurus you should get something.
    – Stuart F
    Commented Mar 27, 2023 at 10:14
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    Hello. Bob. Please show research, as expected in questions on ELU. Using a thesaurus to find synonyms (some of which may be formal in register) is a good place to start; even "the 7 synonyms listed by 'Allthesaurus" have no formal examples", with a link, would be fine.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Mar 27, 2023 at 10:33
  • In what formal situation are you thinking of using an ad hominem? Assuming your question isn't answered in either the linked questions or a thesaurus, please edit in more information about the context, including a sample sentence. See the tag wiki for more details.
    – Laurel ♦
    Commented Mar 27, 2023 at 19:44
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    A meta-question has been raised about the justifiability of closing this question as opinion-based.
    – jsw29
    Commented Mar 27, 2023 at 21:03

4 Answers 4

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Who says scoundrel is old-fashioned? According to Ngram Viewer, it's become more common over the past few decades. I see no reason to avoid it.

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According to Collins dictionary a reprobate is

an unprincipled or totally bad person

also

a depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person

Merriam-Webster also defines a reprobate as

an unprincipled or depraved person: SCOUNDREL, ROGUE

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You could say that the person is "uncivil", which is very formal. It means "discourteous; impolite".

In general, we would say that a jerk/bastard lacks basic civility.

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  • While these are adjectives, they are more like \how people say jerk without saying it.
    – Mitch
    Commented Mar 28, 2023 at 2:10
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How about "blackguard"? Dictionary.com defines it as:

  1. a low, contemptible person; scoundrel.

Also "rascal" is defined as:

  1. a base, dishonest, or unscrupulous person.
  2. a mischievous person or animal:
    That child is a real rascal.
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  • Well, yeah, blackguard and rascal are far more current than scoundrel :-))
    – High Performance Mark
    Commented Mar 27, 2023 at 10:39

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