WAGGISH Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

waggish

adjective

ˈwa-gish

Definition of waggish

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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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 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggish

Adjective

Paramount Great Again hat, but didn’t expect the mischievous executive to turn up in Edinburgh wearing the headgear.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
Reports from across the UK show the mischievous character lurking outside windows and startling passersby.

— Gina Park, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of mischievous

Adjective

Kiss off the haters with a pretty wicked portrait from our Free Photobooth.

— Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Along with other large parts of Northwest Indiana, East Chicago was hit with power outages following a wicked storm that blasted through the area a week ago Tuesday.

— Lauren Victory, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of wicked

Adjective

For good measure, Pabst’s social media updates took a tongue-in-cheek approach that may have actually convinced people the posts were more playful than actual pleas for help.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The world went in, and pliant, playful interpretations flowed out.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of playful

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wagging

waggish

waggishness

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

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Synonyms of waggish

adjective

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