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
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Recent Examples of roguish
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
Yet Kunken gives the character a roguish charisma, in his tireless defense of American freedom, that Biniaz couldn’t help observing was arguably fictional.
—Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Autumn Springs is populated by finely wrought individuals, led by the indomitable Rose and her roguish friend Miller.
—Neil McRobert, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
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
Yet Kunken gives the character a roguish charisma, in his tireless defense of American freedom, that Biniaz couldn’t help observing was arguably fictional.
—Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Autumn Springs is populated by finely wrought individuals, led by the indomitable Rose and her roguish friend Miller.
—Neil McRobert, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roguish
Adjective
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Creative courage returns as the instinctive Moon conjoins mischievous Mercury in your 5th House of Play, urging you to express whatever stirs within.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2026
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However, his capacity to transform physically yet never lose the beautiful mind and mischievous spirit of genius Stephen Hawking, living with the paralyzing effects of ALS, is what's supremely remarkable about his performance.—
Devan Coggan,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Her taste for wicked, wildly inventive terror continues to make the increasingly beloved festival’s bite-sized offerings one of its most reliable highlights.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
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In the first film, Cynthia Erivo’s not-so-wicked witch Elphaba has the more interesting character arc.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The fashion icon made a playful reference to the film while presenting the award for best makeup and hairstyling alongside Hathaway.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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The collection was still as sexy as ever though, with the playful print appearing on itty-bitty bikinis, barely-there blouses, and, as seen here in look 3, low-slung trousers.—
Rosie Jarman,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Roguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roguish. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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