ROGUISHNESS Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

roguishness

noun

as in mischief

playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm a bit of childish roguishness that ended up with a window being broken

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of roguishness The titular nomad needed, perhaps, an actor with a little more mischief and roguishness to sell his transformation from conman to folk hero (Harrison Ford, 55 at the time, may have been a good alternative). — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 July 2026 While the film grapples with Dexter’s (Sturgess) addictions and patience-testing roguishness toward her, Hathaway and director Lone Scherfig never land on a compelling reason for Emma to put up with it. — Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for roguishness

Noun

Thankfully Norton didn’t just avoid doing himself a mischief, but won the competition by staying on the the longest.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
Monster recasts Abby, played with wonderful mischief by Rebecca Hall, as a bitter woman on the brink.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of mischief

Noun

That playfulness channels the same artistic impulse that first drew Coppola to the project.

— Ben Croll, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
But the gala audience that showed up on opening night in Halloween mode (kilts, masks, bloodstained white suits, regal gowns) must have picked up on the production’s ultimate mixture of playfulness and horror.

— Justin Davidson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of playfulness

Noun

Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.

— SAVEUR Editors, Saveur, 5 Feb. 2025
But even if truffles are beyond your pay grade, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had in the sheer devilment portrayed in this informative and appetizing book.

— Eugenia Bone, WSJ, 10 July 2019

Definition of devilment

Noun

Instead, Audi has built something that works remarkably well as everyday transportation while keeping a substantial reserve of mischievousness for those moments when an empty stretch of road appears.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026
The tension latent in Jobim and Regina’s working relationship gives their rendition a mischievousness that’s sorely missed in the monotony of Art Garfunkel’s version, or the twee precision of Susannah McCorkle’s.

— Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 13 June 2026

Definition of mischievousness

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roguish

roguishness

roil

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“Roguishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roguishness. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of roguishness

noun

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