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
Synonyms of mischief
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
The heady sensuality of Aїnouz’s best films (Invisible Life, Madame Satã) is somewhat smothered by the cold cerebral mischief of Filippou’s writing.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
And what good mischief doesn't begin with a little sinful bite?
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
Strangely, my mischief-making failed to wreck the music.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
He was flown back to Queens and charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, arson, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, criminal mischief, tampering with evidence and reckless driving, police said.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischief
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David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
And what good mischief doesn't begin with a little sinful bite?
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
Strangely, my mischief-making failed to wreck the music.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
He was flown back to Queens and charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, arson, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, criminal mischief, tampering with evidence and reckless driving, police said.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mischief. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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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