1
: a specific injury or damage attributed to a particular agent
the polished floor … often causes mischiefs—bruises, sprains, dislocations—
Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer2
: a cause or source of harm, evil, or irritation
especially
: a person who causes mischief
He's a real mischief to his family.
3
a
: action that annoys or irritates
Halloween mischiefs
b
: the quality or state of being mischievous : mischievousness
had mischief in his eyes
Examples of mischief in a Sentence
It's hard to keep him out of mischief.
the children claimed that setting off a firecracker was harmless mischief, but they got a lecture anyway
Recent Examples on the Web
That mischief led to Arenas’ original instance of being hit with charges — when his back and forth with Washington Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton led to big trouble at the end of 2009.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
In 2024, he was accused of assault, battery and criminal mischief — charges that stemmed from three separate incidents.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 21 July 2025
He was also charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, according to the Queens DA’s Office.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 18 July 2025
Meanwhile, a second cat stands upright on its hind legs, placing its front paws on the windowsill—seemingly inspecting the mischief.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
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Jason Jones, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
In 2024, he was accused of assault, battery and criminal mischief — charges that stemmed from three separate incidents.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 21 July 2025
He was also charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, according to the Queens DA’s Office.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 18 July 2025
Meanwhile, a second cat stands upright on its hind legs, placing its front paws on the windowsill—seemingly inspecting the mischief.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mischief. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mischief
noun
mis·chief
ˈmis-chəf 
ˈmish-
1
2
: a person or animal who causes mischief
3
: mischievous conduct or quality
a child gets into mischief
had mischief in their eyes
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