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to be a dickwad

to be a dickwad

1 9.9
Act in a rude, foolish way that annoys or upsets other people
  • phrasal verb
  • /bi ə ˈdɪkˌwɑd/
  • Offensive
translation icon : ser un gilipollas (vulgar, esp.)
  • His rude comments at the party made everyone think he was being a dickwad.

Examples

  • If you keep being a dickwad to your coworkers, no one will want to help you.

  • There’s no need to be a dickwad—just listen to what they have to say.

  • She told him not to be a dickwad about the situation and just accept the decision.

  • Don't be a dickwad at the party!

  • He can really be a dickwad sometimes.

  • She tends to be a dickwad when she doesn't get her way, frustrating her friends.

  • Don't be a dickwad by interrupting others while they are speaking.

Synonyms

being a bitch
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
56 9.9

Treating other people in an unkind, harsh way

is more about foolish annoying behaviour than mean cruelty
to act like a jerk
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9 8.4

To behave rudely or meanly toward other people

is cruder and more likely to make others angry rather than just offended
to be an arsehole
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Behave rudely and selfishly, ignoring other people's feelings

is more about annoying conduct rather than selfish intent specifically
to be such an arse
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To act rudely and annoy other people

is stronger in being deliberately provocative and angering
to be a tosser
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To behave in a rude, stupid way

is harsher and more likely to provoke anger or offense
to be a berk
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To act in a foolish way

carries stronger unpleasantness and intent to annoy others
to act like a cuntrag
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave in a very rude and insulting way to other people

is about irritating or foolish behaviour rather than brutal insult
to act like a total fucktwat
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave in a very rude and thoughtless way that upsets other people

is closer to annoying foolishness than shocking offensiveness
to act like a dickface
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave very rudely and make other people angry or upset

is more about annoying or foolish conduct than strong offense
to act like a fuckskull
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a very foolish and rude way

is more about annoying or irritating behaviour than calculated insult
to act like a douchecanoe
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave rudely and selfishly and annoy other people

leans more toward simple foolishness rather than severe nastiness
to act like an assmunch
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave in a rude, annoying, and foolish way toward other people

is more about provoking anger than mere silly behaviour
to act like an asshat
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave in a rude and stupid way

focuses more on annoying conduct rather than contempt alone
to act like an arseface
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a rude and annoying way

is stronger in provoking anger rather than mere silliness
to acting like an assbutt
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a rude and annoying way

is more aimed at angering people than simple foolishness
to acting like a prick
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a rude and hurtful way to other people

is broader, covering annoying foolishness as well as direct rudeness
to be a shitbiscuit
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

To act in a rude and unhelpful way

is more about provoking anger than mere unhelpfulness
to be a scrote
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

To act selfishly and treat other people badly

is wider, focusing on foolish annoying behaviour rather than selfishness
to be a jagoff
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

Act in a rude, annoying way toward other people

is closer to simple foolish or irritating conduct rather than contempt
to be a choad
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

To act in a rude, annoying way that other people dislike

is more focused on angering others rather than simple foolishness
to be a dink
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a rude or foolish way that annoys other people

is harsher and more likely to provoke anger or offense
to act like a horse's ass
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave rudely and foolishly in a way that annoys or embarrasses people

is more aggressive in provoking anger rather than simple embarrassment
to act like a dingleberry
vsto be a dickwad
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a silly or annoying way

is more offensive and likely to anger rather than merely annoy

Antonyms

89 1.0

Friendly and polite in a way that makes others feel good

68 2.5

Showing care for other people's needs and feelings

Surface Forms

be a dickwad infinitive
been a dickwad past participle
being a dickwad present participle
dickwads third person singular

Morphology

be + a + dickwad

The copular frame 'be a' is fully compositional, but the noun 'dickwad' is an informal/slang insult whose meaning is not transparently derived from literal parts. A learner who knows 'dick' may infer an insulting sense, yet the exact nuance and formation are slangy and unpredictable for a B1 learner, giving only partial predictability.

Etymology

Be a dickwad may come from joining dick (a rude word for a selfish or stupid person) and wad (a small, useless lump), giving a silly, insulting image. Thinking of someone as a small, useless lump makes the insult stronger, so today be a dickwad means 'to act rude, annoying, or foolish'.