1
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
those adolescent rogueries that seemed funny at the time—but only stupid when considered in hindsight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
the old fraternity brothers fondly recounted how their roguery used to rile the dean
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of roguery
That’s flimflam, that’s roguery.
—
Helen Shaw, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2022
His own father, famously, had been a confidence trickster, and le Carré was therefore all too well equipped to mount a lifelong investigation into the uses of roguery, not to mention sleights of hand, some of them amounting to a national disgrace.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2020
Trump smiled, and the dinner guests laughed at the sole acknowledgment of presidential roguery on this otherwise traditional night.
—Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2019
The political systems of the US and Britain are staggering under the pressure of Russia’s roguery....
—Monitor Editors, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2018
Helen Shaw, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2022
His own father, famously, had been a confidence trickster, and le Carré was therefore all too well equipped to mount a lifelong investigation into the uses of roguery, not to mention sleights of hand, some of them amounting to a national disgrace.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2020
Trump smiled, and the dinner guests laughed at the sole acknowledgment of presidential roguery on this otherwise traditional night.
—Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2019
The political systems of the US and Britain are staggering under the pressure of Russia’s roguery....
—Monitor Editors, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roguery
Noun
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Anoka, Minnesota, began its Halloween celebrations in 1920 to curb destructive pranks by local youths.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Instead, the suspects resold them both in Spain and abroad, including in Morocco and Romania, turning what might seem like a small-scale prank into a lucrative criminal enterprise.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The electric version starts the same, but that plaintive wail sounds more like a call to mischief.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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When a mysterious prankster befalls the town of Middlesburg, 13-year-old Frances McCausland (Erin Chambers) gets blamed for the mischief.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the weeks leading up to Halloween, Newman continues to share wig tips ahead of partying and trick-or-treating.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Advertisement Apple and caramel dips Apples are a top-tier fall fruit and a healthy, on-theme choice for trick-or-treaters.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Still, the pure rascality in these extravagant self-inventions shouldn’t be overlooked.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
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Naturally, such rascality didn't do overall fuel economy any favors; in fact, my average was just 20 mpg (11.8 L/100 km) over the course of 125 miles at the E 350's helm.—
Peter Nelson,
Ars Technica,
18 Apr. 2024
Noun
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The profile of this shoe is one that feels inherently familiar, but childlike playfulness is also secured vis-à-vis the fluffy sheepskin that seems to overflow from its color-happy laces.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
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Perched at the top of the building, a triplex penthouse spanning more than 3,300 square feet—plus nearly 2,000 square feet of landscaped terraces—embodies Ban’s signature blend of precision and playfulness.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But if the thought of freezing cold isolation and bunk pods sounds more like punishment than adventure, Mongolia’s Gobi already offers glimpses of the otherworldly in a far more comfortable setting.—
Rosanna Philpott,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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Select episodes of award-winning dark fantasy Solo Leveling, fantasy action-adventure Black Clover, rom-com Horimiya, supernatural dramedy Fruits Basket, and the heartwarming My Roommate Is a Cat will be available on more than 165,000 seatback Delta flight screens starting next month.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
5 Feb. 2025
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But even if truffles are beyond your pay grade, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had in the sheer devilment portrayed in this informative and appetizing book.—
Eugenia Bone,
WSJ,
10 July 2019
Cite this Entry
“Roguery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roguery. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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