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

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 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

For the kooky, mischievous and not-often-sober Shifty Gruff, Sheen was always the number one choice.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
As mischievous, myth-making Grandpa Walton, Will Geer endeared viewers with his warm and relatable approach to the character.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of mischievous

Adjective

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
The electric 2026 Subaru Uncharted GT is wicked fast on the highway but rugged enough to tackle off-road duties.

— Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of wicked

Adjective

Classic tees for effortless layering, elegant slips for summer’s heat, statement skirts for a touch of drama, and playful outerwear for the season ahead.

— Minty Mellon, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026
This flash of color feels like a playful wink—there’s something just a little Wes Anderson about it.

— Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of playful

Browse Nearby Words

wagging

waggish

waggishness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Waggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggish. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of waggish

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on waggish

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

tilde

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes