KNAVISH Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

knavish

adjective

ˈnā-vish

Definition of knavish

as in mischievous

tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness a knavish bunch of urchins racing pell-mell through the marketplace

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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 knavish Wells could be playful, knavish, and his tone here is one of urgency and optimism about the distribution of information. — BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2021 The same people who are now telling us that only Republican-voting obscurantists, ignorant deplorables and knavish right-wing media pundits are raising doubts about the vaccine would have been oozing skepticism. — Gerard Baker, WSJ, 12 July 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knavish

Adjective

Eventually, Nguyen told me with a mischievous grin, Olive started improving itself, writing its own code and pushing over 30,000 updates.

— Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 14 July 2026
Advertisement Best of all is Deutch’s Gail, whose sunbeam demeanor barely conceals her flirty, mischievous side.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026

Definition of mischievous

Adjective

Grass skirts fly as women perform the wicked-fast Tahitian Otea dance, and the audience holds its breath during the Samoan fire knife performance.

— Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 23 July 2026
Among Ashley’s many sins, none were more wicked than the alienation of club legends, particularly Keegan.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of wicked

Adjective

Though the playful space has no actual dock or access to the nearby Chao Phraya, the river’s blue waters and blue-orange tugboats influenced the hotel’s color scheme and other touches.

— The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
August is your last chance to embrace summer’s brightest manicure trends, from juicy hues to playful nail art.

— Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 19 July 2026

Definition of playful

Browse Nearby Words

knaves

knavish

knead

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“Knavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knavish. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of knavish

adjective

Example Sentences

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