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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

Origin and Etymology of scalawag

origin unknown


First Known Use: circa 1848

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

play
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