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
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
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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Burnett pauses, considers the question, and then flashes a mischievous grin.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
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Dave, feeling mischievous, ushered them towards a window seat and what, on the face of it, seemed a prime spot.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The film tells the true and twisted tale of a deceiver of land and folk, who, defying her birth as a woman, comported herself as a man and committed many a wicked deed.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
20 Jan. 2026
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In a sport where pucks often take wicked, seemingly inexplicable bounces and the area in front of and around a goal crease can look like chaos.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Hudson’s performance kicks into a surprising dramatic gear, the actress’s playful Milwaukee accent settling into a relatively somber key, grappling with dreams dashed.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
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From minimalist finishes to playful graphics and elevated textures, these manicures set the tone for the year ahead, proving that short nails aren’t a fallback—they’re the focus.—
Kat Suico,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Roguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roguish. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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