as in villain
a mean, evil, or unprincipled person
he plays the role of the duplicitous knave who tries to foil the play's hero
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Recent Examples of knave
Still, our heroes are not traditional heroes but rather scoundrels and knaves and outcasts, all of whom have complex inner turmoil and compelling character arcs.
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Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Alice begs for the knave’s freedom, putting herself in danger.
—Liesbeth Powers, Dallas News, 27 May 2023
With 377 remaining options, my second word continued this theme with the mildly ironic ‘edits’ (no, rewriting Dahl’s books is not simply ‘editing’ you cowardly knaves).
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2023
However, having dispensed with the knave who was for a while also their ace, the Tories now must find a leader who can revive an electoral coalition that only Boris could ever have built.
—The Editors, National Review, 8 July 2022
But as Karl suggests, Trump was a knave, not a fool.
—Washington Post, 26 Nov. 2021
The supporting cast includes knaves and villans such as outlaw John Wesley Hardin, Mexican General Santa Anna and swindler Billy Sol Estes.
—John MacCormack, ExpressNews.com, 27 May 2020
Identifying Figueras as a fellow-knave, Cassidy gives him a delicate sin to commit.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2020
Anybody who makes firm predictions now is a fool or a knave.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2020
Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Alice begs for the knave’s freedom, putting herself in danger.
—Liesbeth Powers, Dallas News, 27 May 2023
With 377 remaining options, my second word continued this theme with the mildly ironic ‘edits’ (no, rewriting Dahl’s books is not simply ‘editing’ you cowardly knaves).
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2023
However, having dispensed with the knave who was for a while also their ace, the Tories now must find a leader who can revive an electoral coalition that only Boris could ever have built.
—The Editors, National Review, 8 July 2022
But as Karl suggests, Trump was a knave, not a fool.
—Washington Post, 26 Nov. 2021
The supporting cast includes knaves and villans such as outlaw John Wesley Hardin, Mexican General Santa Anna and swindler Billy Sol Estes.
—John MacCormack, ExpressNews.com, 27 May 2020
Identifying Figueras as a fellow-knave, Cassidy gives him a delicate sin to commit.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2020
Anybody who makes firm predictions now is a fool or a knave.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knave
Noun
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Or even an appearance from Tom Holland’s Peter Parker that would mean two hours haven’t been wasted watching this forgettable origin tale of a villain who’s not really THAT bad.Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
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The Grinch bore a striking resemblance to Jim Carrey's version of the beloved Christmas villain.Rachel Raposas, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Others claim that the brute was named either for a popular near beer or for a Sunday comic strip about monkeys.Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Nov. 2024
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When searching for reprieve, there’s sanctuary in a movie musical that looks like a Broadway smash, a Colosseum full of vintage brutes, a Harry Styles simile.Raven Smith, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Sipping whiskey, a wise devil offers: Advice love, giant love, self love, superstar love, dumb love, trouble love?Jennifer Harlan, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024
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People gather expectantly on the streets or gaze from their windows, and then the performers arrive, all garbed in red devil costumes, complete with horns and pitchforks covered in sparkling fireworks.Matt Ralphs, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The monsters are tall and impressively athletic-looking, with devil ears and animatronic snouts that snap like miniature crocodile jaws.Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 Dec. 2024
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Families can hear all about classic ancient Greek myths which are filled with adventures of gods and goddesses, monsters, and heroes.Anna Halkidis, Parents, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Often regarded by historians as a collection of savage tribes, the Scythians emerge as a pivotal force of the ancient world in this monumental history.The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2023
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Nearly 32 years ago, Rodney King’s savage beating by police in Los Angeles prompted heartfelt calls for change.Aaron Morrison, Claudia Lauer and Adrian Sainz, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Jan. 2023
Noun
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But think like a scoundrel for a second, like Star Wars Outlaws asks you to.Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024
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The plot is very old-school Conan Doyle, with scoundrels in sideburns and evil temptresses in gaudy frilly outfits.Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Feb. 2024
Noun
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The wretch in question has cut down one of the speaker’s spruce trees without his permission.Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2023
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Had this poor wretch been well supplied with friends and money the result, as in numerous other instances, might have been different.San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023
Articles Related to knave
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Cite this Entry
“Knave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knave. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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