bunch of bastards

USAGE SUMMARY

"bunch of bastards" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used as a strong and informal way to describe a group of people who are perceived as dishonest, unpleasant, or difficult to deal with. Example: "The politicians in that country are a bunch of bastards, constantly lying and cheating their way to power."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Find some way to bring me back, you fuckers, or you are the sorriest bunch of bastards the world has ever known.

The New Yorker

The traditional view of Lib Dems had been that "Labour was the opposition and the Tories were the enemy… So the starting assumption was that the Tories were a bunch of bastards".

The Guardian

For instance: I'd place a bet that if our Paralympic football team loses in the first round, they will still be described as "inspirational"; if the regular England team had done the same at Euro 2012 they would be called a bunch of bastards.

The Guardian - Sport

Love your enemies in case your friends turn out to be a bunch of bastards.

Forbes

Patrick Freyne of the Sunday Tribune described the programme, in his television review column, as "the People versus A Bunch of Bastards".

Wikipedia

He pontificated to his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman: "The Jews are irreligious, atheistic, immoral bunch of bastards... [Washington] is full of Jews" and "most Jews are disloyal...But, Bob, generally speaking you can't trust the bastards.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

At one point in our correspondence he asserted: "I do not attack environmentalists, show me an example". It happened that on the same day he had sent an email to the green group GMWatch, in which he told them: "You are a bunch of murdering bastards". When I pointed this out to him, he told me: "I made an exception for murdering bastards..

The Guardian

First, if you want a cooperative relationship with Oracle, calling them a bunch of greedy bastards isn't the way to get it.

The Guardian - Tech

Former Queen guitarist and animal welfare campaigner Brian May has accused David Cameron of an "underhand" move to bring back fox hunting and labelled the Countryside Alliance "a bunch of lying bastards" for helping him.

Independent

It happened that on the same day he had sent an email to the green group GMWatch, in which he told them: "You are a bunch of murdering bastards".

The Guardian

Martin considers the other Cabbagers "a bunch of scruffy bastards", adding, "I was instantly at home when I found them – I realised I wasn't the only one who hadn't had a wash".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase “bunch of bastards” sparingly and be mindful of your audience, as it is considered offensive. Reserve it for situations where a strong expression of disapproval or contempt is warranted.

Common error

Avoid using “bunch of bastards” in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more neutral or professional language to maintain credibility and avoid alienating your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “bunch of bastards” functions as a noun phrase used predicatively or as an appositive to express strong disapproval or contempt towards a group of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a strong and informal way to describe individuals perceived negatively.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “bunch of bastards” is a grammatically correct, though highly informal, expression used to convey strong disapproval or contempt. Ludwig AI confirms its strong, negative connotation. While it appears mostly in news, media and Wiki contexts, its offensive nature makes it unsuitable for formal or professional communication. Consider less offensive alternatives such as "group of jerks" or "collection of rogues" to avoid alienating your audience. Understanding its register and impact is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set of jerks

Uses a more common and less offensive term to describe unpleasant people.

consortium of crooks

Specifically implies illegal or dishonest activities within a group.

band of villains

Replaces a general insult with a term indicating malicious intent and actions.

gang of lowlifes

Replaces a general insult with a term indicating a low social status and questionable behavior.

group of scoundrels

Replaces a harsh term with a milder, more playful expression of disapproval.

pack of wolves

Uses a metaphorical term to describe a group of people acting in a predatory or ruthless manner.

collection of rogues

Substitutes a strong insult with a term suggesting mischievousness and trickery.

crowd of reprobates

Substitutes a harsh insult with a term suggesting moral depravity and lack of principles.

den of vipers

Employs a metaphorical term to describe a group of treacherous and deceitful individuals.

cabal of fiends

Replaces a general insult with a term indicating extreme wickedness and cruelty.

FAQs

How can I use “bunch of bastards” in a sentence?

You can use “bunch of bastards” to express strong disapproval or contempt towards a group of people. For example: "I can't believe they lied to us; they're a bunch of bastards."

What is a less offensive alternative to “bunch of bastards”?

If you need to express disapproval without using such strong language, consider alternatives like "group of jerks", "crowd of reprobates", or "group of scoundrels".

Is it appropriate to use “bunch of bastards” in professional communication?

No, “bunch of bastards” is generally inappropriate for professional communication due to its offensive nature. It's better to use neutral or professional language such as "dishonest group" or "untrustworthy individuals".

What's the difference between “bunch of bastards” and “"group of villains"”?

While both phrases express disapproval, “bunch of bastards” is a more vulgar and direct insult. “"Group of villains"” suggests malicious intent but is less offensive.