as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
a knavish bunch of urchins racing pell-mell through the marketplace
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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
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
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Orsoni has salt-and-pepper hair and an exaggerated, slightly mischievous energy.—
Aislyn Greene,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
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The trailer hints at a lavish production, with Sharpe playing a mischievous Mozart, bounding through a stately home and jumping to reach a chandelier.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Felt wings and ears secured with toothpicks transform petite pumpkins into wicked-cute bats.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Oct. 2025
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There's something wicked about building horror movies around toys, dolls, and other kid-friendly touchstones; they're bound to entice (and potentially scar) curious young audiences more than usual.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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From what was seen on the fall 2025 runways of Ferragamo to Tom Ford, the opulent, sexy, polished dressing of the ’80s will live large this season—Sabrina is just taking it up a notch with her own super feminine, playful fashion formula.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Oct. 2025
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The collection debuts in time with the release of the iPhone 17, creating new ways to protect screens and embrace playful, stylish accessories that are practical and resilient.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knavish. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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