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
Newsom has capably sensed what Democrats want right now, and is delivering it with a roguish charisma.
—
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
He's egged on by owner Jonathan Yu—the outward opposite to the roguish tattooed chef and the game-for-anything, sly devil on his shoulder who hides a mischievous heart behind elegant suits.
—Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
He's egged on by owner Jonathan Yu—the outward opposite to the roguish tattooed chef and the game-for-anything, sly devil on his shoulder who hides a mischievous heart behind elegant suits.
—Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roguish
Adjective
-
His mischievous-urchin phase was short-lived.—
David Kamp,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Those mischievous Minions will have their Olympic moment after all.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The winds that kick up this time of year proved wicked.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
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Mimics tells the story of Sam, a struggling impressionist who makes a pact with a wicked puppet.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Super Bowl Sunday, Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe both posted Instagram Stories from the game, including one playful video of the two of them together in their hotel room.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The fragrance opens with a playful burst of juicy raspberry before folding into warm vanilla blossom, eventually settling into a smooth veil of cashmere musk that feels cozy without ever becoming heavy.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Roguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roguish. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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