rogue
Unpredictable lone operator
A rogue is someone who operates outside accepted norms—originally a vagrant or dishonest person, now often someone charmingly mischievous: He's a lovable rogue.
The word extends to things that deviate dangerously from the expected: a rogue wave, a rogue state, a rogue cop.
As an adjective, rogue describes something operating independently or out of control: a rogue elephant, rogue AI.
To go rogue is to act without authorization or break from one's group.
Wicked story antagonist
- knaveDishonest, unprincipled person
- rascalLovable troublemaker
- scoundrelDishonest, unscrupulous person
- miscreantEvildoer or villain
rapscallion · scamp · ne'er-do-well · blackguard · cad · scalawag · trickster · deceiver
Armed roadside thief
- criminalPerson who breaks laws
- crookBent implement or criminal
- thiefOne who steals
- highwaymanMounted thief targeting travelers
brigand · pirate · buccaneer · desperado · fugitive · felon · lawbreaker · gangster
Independent-minded rule-breaker
- defectorOne who abandons allegiance
- dissenterOpponent of orthodoxy
- deserterOne who abandons duty
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
traitor · renegade · apostate · heretic · mutineer · insurgent · subversive · agitator
Homeless, aimless wanderer
- vagrantHomeless itinerant person
- drifterAimless, rootless traveler
- nomadHomeless wanderer by choice
- wandererRootless, roving person
rover · roamer · wayfarer · rambler · itinerant · hobo · tramp · transient
Lacking regularity or consistency
- wildNot domesticated or controlled
- uncontrollableImpossible to restrain
- waywardStubbornly self-willed
- undisciplinedLacking self-control or order
unruly · unreliable · capricious · volatile · unstable · errant · deviant · aberrant
One who avoids company
- freelancerSelf-employed service provider
- wildcardUnpredictable factor in play
- free-agentUncontracted professional athlete
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
unaffiliated · nonconformist · individualist · outsider · unattached · autonomous · self-directed · unbeholden
Inspiring warm feelings
- rakishDashingly unconventional in style
- impishPlayfully mischievous in manner
- mischievousPlayfully causing trouble
- dashingSpiritedly stylish and bold
debonair · gallant · scampish · witty · devil-may-care · swashbuckling · incorrigible · disarming
villain
Wicked story antagonist
- knaveDishonest, unprincipled person
- rascalLovable troublemaker
- scoundrelDishonest, unscrupulous person
miscreant · rapscallion · scamp · ne'er-do-well · blackguard · cad · scalawag · trickster · deceiver · swindler
bandit
Armed roadside thief
highwayman · brigand · pirate · buccaneer · desperado · fugitive · felon · lawbreaker · gangster · mobster
maverick
Independent-minded rule-breaker
turncoat · traitor · renegade · apostate · heretic · mutineer · insurgent · subversive · agitator · dissident
vagabond
Homeless, aimless wanderer
wanderer · rover · roamer · wayfarer · rambler · itinerant · hobo · tramp · transient · migrant
erratic
Lacking regularity or consistency
- wildNot domesticated or controlled
- uncontrollableImpossible to restrain
- waywardStubbornly self-willed
undisciplined · unruly · unreliable · capricious · volatile · unstable · errant · deviant · aberrant · anomalous
loner
One who avoids company
- freelancerSelf-employed service provider
- wildcardUnpredictable factor in play
- free-agentUncontracted professional athlete
solitary · unaffiliated · nonconformist · individualist · outsider · unattached · autonomous · self-directed · unbeholden · unaccountable
lovable
Inspiring warm feelings
- rakishDashingly unconventional in style
- impishPlayfully mischievous in manner
- mischievousPlayfully causing trouble
dashing · debonair · gallant · scampish · witty · devil-may-care · swashbuckling · incorrigible · disarming · raffish
- roguesscoundrel, scoundrels, rascal, rascals, knave
- bad boysrebel, troublemaker, delinquent, rascal, scoundrel
- old insultsknave, varlet, scoundrel, blackguard, rascal
- picaresque elementsscoundrel, trickster, antihero, vagabond, rascal
- Tudor Roguesvagabond, cutpurse, pickpocket, ruffler, frater
- wuxiamartial artist, swordsman, kung fu, martial arts, qi
rogueteam player
One who collaborates willingly
loyalist · conformist · company man · obedient · faithful servant
roguegentleman
Courteous, honorable man
lady · respectable · aboveboard · straightforward · straight
- rogues galleryArchive of criminal photographs
- going rogueActing independently, against authority
- went rogueAbandoned expected allegiance
- gone rogueAbandoned loyalty or protocol
- go rogueDefy authority independently
- rogue wavesUnpredictable giant ocean swells
roguish, rogues, roguishly, roguery, roguishness, roguelike, rogue wave, rogue waves, rogue states