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.
—
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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Just weeks after closing out an incredibly dominant year in music, Rihanna was cast by some fans and members of the media as the villain and endlessly harassed by those who felt Brown did nothing wrong.Kyle Denis, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2024
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Emma Corrin also starred in the film as the villain, Cassandra Nova.Joe Otterson, Variety, 18 Nov. 2024
Noun
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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
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The Penguin's Falcone is every bit the misogynistic brute, but his actions are relegated to the off-screen imagination by being implied, rather than shown.Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The current top predator in Tasmania, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), is already facing severe population declines due to disease.Scott Travers, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
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The devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) has been eating away at the population of Tasmanian devils and re-introducing the thylacine might not do the devil any favors.Scott Travers, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Moana 2 is likewise looking like a monster and is expected to lead the biggest five-day holiday weekend of all time (Wednesday through Sunday).Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
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The first of those home runs was a walk-off grand slam against the Kansas City Royals that struck the Fisk Pole atop Fenway's famous green monster.Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 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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You are being forced to surrender your country without a fight to the gang of traitors, thieves, and scoundrels who have seized power.Alexei Navalny, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024
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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.Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Oct. 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
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Cite this Entry
“Knave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knave. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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