1. A deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
   "The scalawag swindled several investors before being caught";
   - rogue, knave [archaic], rascal, rapscallion, scallywag, varlet [archaic], scallawag
    
2. One who is playfully mischievous
   "The young scalawag was always getting into harmless trouble";
   - imp, scamp [informal], monkey, rascal, rapscallion, scallywag, scallawag
    
3. A white Southerner who supported Reconstruction policies after the American Civil War (usually for self-interest)
   "The scalawag faced hostility from his neighbors for cooperating with Northern Republicans";
   - scallywag, scallawag

Derived forms: scalawags

Type of: bad person, child, kid [informal], kiddie [informal], kiddy [informal], minor, nestling [informal], nipper [informal], scoundrel, shaver [informal], small fry [informal], tiddler [Brit, informal], tike [informal], tyke [informal], villain, wean [UK, Ireland, dialect], youngster

Encyclopedia: Scalawag