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scalawag

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noun scal·a·wag \ˈska-li-ˌwag\
variants: or

Definition of scalawag

  1. 1 :  scamp, reprobate

  2. 2 :  a white Southerner acting in support of the reconstruction governments after the American Civil War often for private gain

See scalawag defined for English-language learners

See scalawag defined for kids

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Examples of scalawag in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of scalawag from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scalawag.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scalawag

origin unknown

scalawag Synonyms

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

Other History Terms

agonistic, carpetbagger, enceinte, fief, historiography, paladin

SCALAWAG Defined for English Language Learners

scalawag

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noun

Definition of scalawag for English Language Learners

  • : a usually young person who causes trouble

SCALAWAG Defined for Kids

scalawag

noun scal·a·wag \ˈska-li-ˌwag\
variants: or

scallywag

\ˈska-li-ˌwag\

Definition of scalawag for Students

  1. :  rascal 1

Learn More about scalawag

  1. See words that rhyme with scalawag Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scalawag Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scalawag

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Examples: scalawag in a Sentence