rascal

[ras-kuhl] / ˈræs kəl /

NOUN

person who is unprincipled, does not work hard

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bum liar scoundrel swindler wretch

STRONG

beggar blackguard bully cad cardsharp charlatan cheat delinquent devil disgrace felon fraud good-for-nothing hooligan hypocrite idler imp loafer mischief-maker miscreant opportunist pretender prodigal profligate recreant reprobate robber rowdy ruffian scamp sinner skunk sneak tough tramp trickster varmint villain wastrel

WEAK

black sheep grafter

Antonyms

STRONG

hard worker

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The question Mr. Junod explores is whether his father was a scoundrel or merely a rascal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

Right now, the rascal in him slumbers, briefly glimpsed now and again behind dark shades.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

Onstage, Epps convincingly plays that rascal who has charmed his way out of trouble.

From New York Times • Feb. 20, 2024

If a man is called a zorra, it simply means "rascal".

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2024

Perhaps only Rine the rascal was at home in it.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison