scalawag

noun

scal·​a·​wag ˈska-li-ˌwag How to pronounce scalawag (audio)
variants or scallywag
1
2
: a white Southerner acting in support of the reconstruction governments after the American Civil War often for private gain

Examples of scalawag in a Sentence

a scalawag who had taken to begging on street corners while posing as a blind person
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Among the most memorable was the Oyster Wars, a series of clashes dating back to the 1830s with scalawags descending from all over, looking to cash in on the valuable bivalves. Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 2 July 2024 The large cast, costumed and made up as a fitly scalawags and sinister buccaneers, gives tremendous energy to every scene. Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 July 2023 Chadha-Patel is ambiguously charming as a scalawag not entirely out for himself. cleveland, 1 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scalawag was circa 1848

Dictionary Entries Near scalawag

Cite this Entry

“Scalawag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scalawag. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

scalawag

noun
scal·​a·​wag
variants or scallywag
ˈskal-i-ˌwag
1
2
: a white Southerner acting in support of the reconstruction governments after the American Civil War often for private gain

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