as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
a waggish disposition that often got him into trouble as a child
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Recent Examples of waggish
The waggish jeer that subverts the Reich Chancellery, designed by Adolf Hitler's chief architect, Albert Speer, must have sent the woman who chastises children for flatulent folly into a tizzy.
—
Natasha Gural, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
After publishing a New York Times piece about grieving her late husband, the waggish writer received an email from a kindly old acquaintance who was also recently widowed.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
He’s left a distinctive stamp on the orchestra’s sound in the years since, whether declaiming the beginning of Mahler 5 with a preacher’s conviction or, as in a recent Ravinia concert, tossing off a ragtime solo with waggish virtuosity.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2024
Foreman’s own work was waggish, so the Off Off Broadway Wooster production is frequently tongue-in-cheek.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2024
The three children of Leonard Bernstein uphold their father’s legacy with waggish exuberance.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
His simple line drawings—in contrast with painterly images more common to the times—and waggish humor also made way for the eerie and fanciful later work of William Steig and ultimately for the refinement of Saul Steinberg’s sharp wit.
—Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2023
That is an untitled image by the waggish Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, from 1999, and the poor guy being displayed, with a heretical hint of crucifixion, is a gallery owner from Milan—a kindred spirit for Nemo, who is equally stuck.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2023
Trendy, vapid Chazelle sentimentalized a token Mexican immigrant in Babylon, but Jordan and waggish co-screenwriter William Monahan, who scripted Scorsese’s The Departed, plays with ethnicity (those Irish mugs, Lange’s perfect brogue, and Cumming’s perfect Southern twang).
—Armond White, National Review, 17 Feb. 2023
Natasha Gural, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
After publishing a New York Times piece about grieving her late husband, the waggish writer received an email from a kindly old acquaintance who was also recently widowed.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
He’s left a distinctive stamp on the orchestra’s sound in the years since, whether declaiming the beginning of Mahler 5 with a preacher’s conviction or, as in a recent Ravinia concert, tossing off a ragtime solo with waggish virtuosity.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2024
Foreman’s own work was waggish, so the Off Off Broadway Wooster production is frequently tongue-in-cheek.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2024
The three children of Leonard Bernstein uphold their father’s legacy with waggish exuberance.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
His simple line drawings—in contrast with painterly images more common to the times—and waggish humor also made way for the eerie and fanciful later work of William Steig and ultimately for the refinement of Saul Steinberg’s sharp wit.
—Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2023
That is an untitled image by the waggish Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, from 1999, and the poor guy being displayed, with a heretical hint of crucifixion, is a gallery owner from Milan—a kindred spirit for Nemo, who is equally stuck.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2023
Trendy, vapid Chazelle sentimentalized a token Mexican immigrant in Babylon, but Jordan and waggish co-screenwriter William Monahan, who scripted Scorsese’s The Departed, plays with ethnicity (those Irish mugs, Lange’s perfect brogue, and Cumming’s perfect Southern twang).
—Armond White, National Review, 17 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggish
Adjective
-
With the help of Michał, a fellow school outcast, Hania encounters Sindri—a mischievous pixie living in the nearby forest—who vows to aid them.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Lacy maintains a mischievous relationship with social media.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There's no rest for the wicked in Ligue 1 as Lens prepares to open another campaign in the French top flight at home to Lyon on Sunday.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
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Not since the days of Gossip Girl, the deliciously wicked mid-2000s teen television drama, has New York City's Upper East Side been a spot for the cool kids.—
Elizabeth Cantrell,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
For a playful yet sweet date night scent, Ledda’s 16 Scenic Rose is a lovely choice.—
Sarah Boyd,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Ideal for smaller spaces or heavy-duty uses, these petite folding seats offer all-weather flexibility and a myriad of playful color options.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggish. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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