scapegrace
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈskeɪpˌɡreɪs/
- Offensive
:
sinvergüenza
- The men who vie for access are often scoundrels or at least scapegraces, and the ends rarely justify the means.
- scapegrace son
Examples
-
It would have shocked Sir Charles to learn that, in Mrs. Pendleton's estimation, it was his scapegrace sister-in-law who had worked a salutary change in her.
Fiction book (1990) -
The spectacle of his own son, no scapegrace youth running off to join the Foreign Legion but a sedate and committed academic like himself, first planning an adventure, then going off and having it, must have threatened the armor of his soul.
Academic text (1999) -
Two scapegraces, right before your eyes.
Fiction book (2001) -
A scapegrace! A rascal!
Fiction book (1990) -
He's been a scapegrace all his life, but now he wants to make something of himself. "Good," said Circumbright with hollow heartiness.
Fiction book (1992) -
This scamp and my scapegrace son crept into my garden and gorged themselves on my seed melons one year.
-
He was the scapegrace Monique Dupres referred to only as "Sir Spider," that devil-may-care.
Fiction book (1990) -
She thought of the scapegrace knight and his barefaced effrontery, and a laugh was startled out of her.
Fiction book (1990) -
Everyone in the village knew him as the local scapegrace, always getting into trouble and causing mischief.
-
Despite his charm, many considered him a scapegrace for his habit of avoiding responsibilities and playing pranks.
Synonyms
51
6.5
A person who behaves dishonestly and hurts others by lying or stealing
9
8.2
A person who is dishonest and treats others badly
7
8.2
A person who is dishonest and treats others badly
Antonyms
How Mischievous
129
5.9
- Offensive
1
9.9
- Slang
- Informal
54
3.5
- Informal
11
6.5
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word scapegrace probably comes from two parts: scape (as in 'escape' or 'escapade') and grace (meaning 'good behaviour' or 'favour'). A helpful way to remember it is to think of someone who 'escapes' 'grace'. They avoid good behaviour, so a scapegrace is a mischievous, reckless person.