knave
noun
ˈnāv 
1
: a tricky deceitful fellow
2
: jack sense 2a
3
archaic
a
: a boy servant
b
: a male servant
c
: a man of humble birth or position
Synonyms
- baddie
- baddy
- beast
- brute
- caitiff
- devil
- evildoer
- fiend
- heavy
- hound
- meanie
- meany
- miscreant
- monster
- nazi
- no-good
- rapscallion
- rascal
- reprobate
- rogue
- savage
- scalawag
- scallywag
- scamp
- scapegrace
- scoundrel
- varlet
- villain
- wretch
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
he plays the role of the duplicitous knave who tries to foil the play's hero
Recent Examples on the Web 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 The Founding Fathers were not unaware of the possibility that a demagogue or a knave might win the presidency. Ezra Klein, Vox, 6 Sep. 2018 Anyone who has observed both major parties over the decades knows that each party has its share of fools, knaves, and outright crooks. John Fund, National Review, 8 Oct. 2017 See More
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 The Founding Fathers were not unaware of the possibility that a demagogue or a knave might win the presidency. Ezra Klein, Vox, 6 Sep. 2018 Anyone who has observed both major parties over the decades knows that each party has its share of fools, knaves, and outright crooks. John Fund, National Review, 8 Oct. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English cnafa; akin to Old High German knabo boy
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Kids Definition
knave
noun
ˈnāv
1
: rascal sense 2
2
: jack entry 1 sense 2
knave
noun
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- villain
- brute
- devil
- scoundrel
- monster
- wretch
- criminal
- savage
- rascal
- offender
- beast
- varlet
- scalawag
- caitiff
- bandit
- scamp
- scapegrace
- reprobate
- rogue
- nazi
- miscreant
- thug
- rapscallion
- scallywag
- assassin
- fiend
- evildoer
- crook
- blackguard
- hound
- heavy
- meany
- baddie
- gangster
- baddy
- meanie
- perpetrator
- loser
- no-good
- sinner
- snake
- felon
- cad
- trespasser
- ruffian
- transgressor
- malefactor
- culprit
- serpent
- villainess
- wrongdoer
- lawbreaker
- viper
- heel
- con
- desperado
- outlaw
- perp
- racketeer
- convict
- hoodlum
- goon
- hooligan
- jailbird
- rough
- bravo
- cutthroat
- lowlife
- tough
- stinker
- rowdy
- gunman
- trash
- ne'er-do-well
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- innocent
- saint
- hero
- angel
- honor points
- honor price
- honor roll
- honor score
- honor society
- honor system
- honor trick
- honorabilities
- honorability
- honorable
- honorable discharge
- honorable mention
- honorable mentions
- honorable ordinary
- honorableness
- honorablenesses
- honorably
- honorand
- honorands
- honoraria
- honoraries
- honorarily
- honorarium
- honorariums
- honorary