scalawag

noun

scal·a·wag | \ ˈska-li-ˌwag

variants: or scallywag

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

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about scalawag

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Examples of scalawag in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Salvatore Lodi made his debut as Little Mouse, while Kellan Hayag was a floppy-haired, scampering scalawag Fritz. — Laura Bleiberg, latimes.com, "ABT's 'Nutcracker,' a new classic worth watching over and over (and over)," 11 Dec. 2017 Back on their own ship, the scalawags must decide how to divvy up the booty. — Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Riddle of the Week #17: The Pirates and Their Booty," 23 Feb. 2017

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.