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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 roguish
Acquiring sports teams and land For much of his life a partying roustabout who wooed beautiful women with a roguish charm, the lean, mustachioed sportsman married three times.
—
David Bauder, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Plans are now underway for a contemporary reimagining of the series, which saw McShane play the eponymous roguish and fourth wall-breaking antiques dealer, a likeable anti-hero with a knack for recognizing genuine antiques from fakes or forgeries.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
Joe Morrow plays the roguish Sean.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
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
David Bauder, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Plans are now underway for a contemporary reimagining of the series, which saw McShane play the eponymous roguish and fourth wall-breaking antiques dealer, a likeable anti-hero with a knack for recognizing genuine antiques from fakes or forgeries.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
Joe Morrow plays the roguish Sean.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roguish
Adjective
-
Like tapping into that mischievous kid in me.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
18 May 2026
-
There on the screen, staring back at me, are two gigantic black eyes and a mischievous smile stitched on a massive, crocheted head — features of the mysterious, endlessly cheeky mask that has become Chuyin’s signature.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Daisy Ridley's Rey is wicked smart and a capable hero in a universe with the baddies of the First Order on the warpath.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
-
As Thompson reveals, Lean grew up Quaker and was forbidden from seeing movies, which were considered wicked.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Enjoy romance, fun outings and playful times with kids.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
18 May 2026
-
Lagasse wants Emeril’s to make the case that New Orleans cuisine can be playful, regional, historically grounded and technically elite all at once.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Roguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roguish. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
