knavish

adjective

knav·​ish ˈnā-vish How to pronounce knavish (audio)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a knave
especially : dishonest
knavishly adverb

Examples of knavish in a Sentence

a knavish bunch of urchins racing pell-mell through the marketplace
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Wells could be playful, knavish, and his tone here is one of urgency and optimism about the distribution of information. BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2021 The same people who are now telling us that only Republican-voting obscurantists, ignorant deplorables and knavish right-wing media pundits are raising doubts about the vaccine would have been oozing skepticism. Gerard Baker, WSJ, 12 July 2021

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of knavish was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near knavish

Cite this Entry

“Knavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knavish. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!