roguish

adjective

Definition of roguishnext
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness a roguish grin was the only sign that she had something up her sleeve for the office party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of roguish No movie has ever been made worse by Mads Mikkelsen, who plays our Big Bad, while Waller-Bridge has great comedic rapport with Ford as his charmingly roguish sidekick. — Frank Deruggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026 The movie follows the life of feisty belle Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh), from growing up on a plantation to her love affairs, including with roguish Rhett Butler (Clark Gable). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026 The main Palm Dog went to Yuri, the roguish stray at the heart of Chilean director Dominga Sotomayor’s La Perra, premiering in Directors’ Fortnight. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 Acquiring sports teams and land For much of his life a partying roustabout who wooed beautiful women with a roguish charm, the lean, mustachioed sportsman married three times. — David Bauder, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026 Plans are now underway for a contemporary reimagining of the series, which saw McShane play the eponymous roguish and fourth wall-breaking antiques dealer, a likeable anti-hero with a knack for recognizing genuine antiques from fakes or forgeries. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026 Joe Morrow plays the roguish Sean. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026 Newsom has capably sensed what Democrats want right now, and is delivering it with a roguish charisma. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026 He's egged on by owner Jonathan Yu—the outward opposite to the roguish tattooed chef and the game-for-anything, sly devil on his shoulder who hides a mischievous heart behind elegant suits. — Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roguish
  1. mischievous
  2. wicked
  3. playful
Adjective
  • KidSuper founder Colm Dillane has always had a mischievous side.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In practice, this mischievous presence ping-pongs between maternal lies and the wholesale impersonation of other people.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of mischievous
Adjective
  • The 19-year-old center is a powerful, high-end skater who scored eye-popping numbers in junior (62 goals in 65 games in his draft year), and has a wicked, elite release on his shot.
    — Harman Dayal, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Both family and colleagues spoke about her generosity, her friendship with every major designer on both sides of the Atlantic, her love of food, cats and fast cars, and a wicked sense of humor and strong tennis game.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of wicked
Adjective
  • Johnson, who previously hosted SNL in 2015 and again in 2020, appears in a playful new promo with the five-piece Baltimore hardcore band and comedian Ben Marshall.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Major brands including BaubleBar and Crocs are putting their own spin on football fandom with playful collaborations and unexpected finds.
    — Casey DelBasso, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of playful

Browse Nearby Words

rogues
roguish
roguishness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Roguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roguish. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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