Word info Synonyms Antonyms

knavish

Speech parts

1. knavish - Adjective

2. knavish - Adjective Satellite

Meaning

Like or characteristic of a knave; given to knavery; trickish; fraudulent; dishonest; villainous; as, a knavish fellow, or a knavish trick.

Mischievous; roguish; waggish.

Source: Webster's dictionary

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Examples

The Catholic Church is an institution I am bound to hold divine - but for unbelievers a proof of its divinity might be found in the fact that no merely human institution conducted with such knavish imbecility would have lasted a fortnight. Hilaire Belloc

An institute run with such knavish imbecility that if it were not the work of God it would not last a fortnight. Hilaire Belloc

Yet but three come one more. Two of both kinds make up four. Ere she comes curst and sad. Cupid is a knavish lad. Thus to make poor females mad. William Shakespeare

A knavish speech sleeps in a fool's ear. William Shakespeare

With the rational respect that is due to it, knavish priests have added prostitutions of it, that fill or might fill the blackest and bloodiest pages of human history. John Adams

The typical lawmaker of today is a man wholly devoid of principle -- a mere counter in a grotesque and knavish game. If the right pressure could be applied to him, he would be cheerfully in favor of polygamy, astrology or cannibalism. H. L. Mencken

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