miscreant

Miscreant is a noun used to describe a person who behaves badly or commits wrongdoing. It can also function as an adjective, as in miscreant behavior. The term carries a strong, condemning tone and is typically informal or literary rather than technical. It is often applied to individuals involved in criminal, immoral, or disruptive acts, but it does not have any formal legal definition.

Etymology and historical sense provide context for its current use. Miscreant derives from Old French mescreant, meaning an unbeliever or wrongdoer, formed from elements meaning “bad” or “wrong” and “to believe.” In medieval usage it could refer to nonbelievers or heretics, but in modern English its sense has shifted toward describing morally or legally objectionable people or actions.

Usage notes emphasize tone and appropriateness. Because of its strong negative connotation, miscreant is usually chosen for emphasis, humor, or moral judgment rather than neutral description. It is generally unsuitable for formal writing and may be offensive in some contexts, particularly when aimed at individuals or groups in ways that imply moral inadequacy beyond the acts described.

See also: delinquent, villain, criminal, rascal.