scalawag

scal·a·wag

noun \ˈska-li-ˌwag\

Definition of SCALAWAG

1

: scamp, reprobate

2

: a white Southerner acting in support of the reconstruction governments after the American Civil War often for private gain

Variants of SCALAWAG

scal·a·wag or scal·ly·wag \ˈska-li-ˌwag\

Examples of SCALAWAG

1. <a scalawag who had taken to begging on street corners while posing as a blind person>

Origin of SCALAWAG

origin unknown

First Known Use: circa 1848

Related to SCALAWAG

Synonyms: baddie (or baddy), beast, brute, caitiff, devil, evildoer, fiend, heavy, hound, knave, meanie (also meany), miscreant, monster, nazi, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, savage, villain (or scallywag), scamp, scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, wretch

Related Words: villainess; blackguard; criminal, crook, culprit, felon, lawbreaker, malefactor, offender, perp, perpetrator, transgressor; sinner, trespasser, wrongdoer; cad, heel, serpent, snake, viper; bandit, bravo, desperado, outlaw; con, convict, jailbird; assassin, cutthroat, gangster, goon, gunman, hoodlum, hooligan, racketeer, ruffian, thug; rough, rowdy, tough; loser, lowlife, ne'er-do-well, stinker, trash

Near Antonyms: angel, innocent, saint; hero

[+]more[-]hide

Other History Terms

agonistic, carpetbagger, enceinte, fief, historiography, paladin

Rhymes with SCALAWAG

barracks bag, basic slag, body bag, bullyrag, carpetbag, ditty bag, duffel bag, garment bag, heavy bag, litterbag, lollygag, saddlebag, shopping bag, shoulder bag, sleeping bag, tucker-bag, water bag