Roguishness

Roguishness is the quality or characteristic of being a rogue; a charming, playfully mischievous, and often slightly dishonest person. It embodies a certain daring and cunning, often bordering on the impish, yet lacking true malice. It implies a lighthearted approach to rule-breaking, often motivated by self-amusement or a desire to circumvent authority, rather than causing significant harm. The roguish individual is often quick-witted, resourceful, and possesses a captivating charm that allows them to escape serious repercussions for their misdeeds. This characteristic suggests a playful disregard for conventions and a tendency towards lighthearted deception, often employed with a twinkle in the eye rather than with spite.

Roguishness meaning with examples

• With a twinkle in his eye, the art thief's roguishness was evident as he described his daring heist to his admiring companions. His charming charisma made them overlook the audacity of his actions, and they were swept away by his roguishness. He could always charm his way out of trouble.
• The playwright infused the character of the pickpocket with roguishness, making him a beloved anti-hero rather than a villain. His quick wit and ability to improvise allowed him to get away with minor crimes, thus winning the audience's affections. This demonstrated his appeal through roguishness.
• Her roguishness was evident in her frequent pranks, such as swapping the salt and sugar at the dinner table. Her victims could not stay angry at her for long, as they would break out in laughter. This demonstrated a charming kind of roguishness.
• The film's protagonist, with his roguishness, was an endearing scoundrel who consistently outsmarted his adversaries using cunning and wit. He lived by his own rules, and used roguishness to overcome many different difficulties in his journey to overcome adversity.