rakish

adjective

ˈrā-kish How to pronounce rakish (audio)
Definition of rakishnext
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards within a few short years their rakish son had squandered the family fortune on hard liquor and fast cars

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 rakish Watching their relationship devolve (never more so than when their sperm donor, a rakish, motorcycle-driving restaurant owner played by Mark Ruffalo, enters the scene) is most definitely a tear-jerking experience, as is the film’s final scene. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026 He is lured by the sound of music down a Montmartre street to Nicholas de Lenfent (Joseph Potter), an old friend from his village who has grown up to be a talented violinist and rakish twink. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 22 June 2026 With his rakish sneer and ruthlessly tight jodhpurs, Rupert has been thoroughly neutered with irony, transformed into an object for women to pick at. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 His most famous early picture, of three rakish young farmers walking to a country dance in new hats, stiff suits, and too-big shoes, couldn’t have been a commission. — Max Norman, New Yorker, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rakish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rakish
  1. corrupt
  2. degraded
  3. sick
  4. dissolute
  5. crooked
  6. decadent
Adjective
  • Postwar Germany ran a denazification program, for example, while recent elections in Ukraine ousted corrupt, pro-Moscow leaders.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Christian pleaded guilty in New Haven Superior Court to violating the corrupt organizations and racketeering act and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, the DCJ said.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of corrupt
Adjective
  • Perhaps building on degraded land, sharing space with agriculture, and designing eco-friendly infrastructure.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, degraded working conditions—see, the adjunctification discourse—make academic professionalization less and less sustainable.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of degraded
Adjective
  • Some recalls, Eskin said, are made after companies’ routine testing catches a pathogen before anyone gets sick, while others involve outbreaks that are already underway and vary widely in size and severity.
    — Dian Zhang, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sanchez also ordered a meal from Taco Bell, but didn’t get sick.
    — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sick
Adjective
  • But this replacement adoption has strings attached, in the form of a father (Fabrizio Odetto) who’d already been trying to get Giulia away from his dissolute ex, and is not about to hand her over to some rich third party.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • His untimely death set the template for the doomed, dissolute musician.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Definition of dissolute
Adjective
  • Cowin soon shifted to straighter technical methods applied to crooked storylines.
    — Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In addition, there are crooked cops on the inside trying to spring El Chapo, so the arresting officers need to quickly figure out who to trust.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of crooked
Adjective
  • Crafted from mirror-polished stainless steel, the reflective surface was made to display a pair of crisp martinis or a selection of decadent desserts.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The gooey burst of yolk welcomes all guests to a wonderfully delicious and decadent meal.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of decadent

Browse Nearby Words

raking up
rakish
rakishness
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Cite this Entry

“Rakish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rakish. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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