as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
the gang of impish children ran into the street, utterly oblivious to the traffic
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impish
When Pirog played a flashy line, which was often, Vile let out a cackle, an impish, cowpoke whoopee ti-yi-yo.
—
Nick Paumgarten,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
The impish half-smile that irritates opponents eventually returns to his face, though.
—
Chris Smith,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
The finding speaks to the cleverness of Kea (Nestor notabilis), mountain-dwelling parrots with a reputation for impish intelligence.
—
Elizabeth Anne Brown,
Scientific American,
20 Apr. 2026
Like the impish anti-romance that crumbles around it, the movie’s twist is both transgressive enough to be pleased with itself and also rooted in a reality that refuses to be dismissed as a bad joke.
—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impish
Nick Paumgarten,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
The impish half-smile that irritates opponents eventually returns to his face, though.
—
Chris Smith,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
The finding speaks to the cleverness of Kea (Nestor notabilis), mountain-dwelling parrots with a reputation for impish intelligence.
—
Elizabeth Anne Brown,
Scientific American,
20 Apr. 2026
Like the impish anti-romance that crumbles around it, the movie’s twist is both transgressive enough to be pleased with itself and also rooted in a reality that refuses to be dismissed as a bad joke.
—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impish
Adjective
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The bride and groom both wore custom Christian Dior looks designed by Jonathan Anderson, who’s known for elaborate, mischievous designs.
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Months after Scary Movie's release, Abrahams starred as the mischievous Denny Byrnes in Meet the Parents (2000).
Adjective
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Yamal was a thorn in Saudi Arabia’s side, drifting infield to unleash shots from distance but also peppering the penalty area with wicked deliveries from the right flank.
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Has Sugar’s inherent decency become something of a moral palate cleanser for Oz’s wicked ways?
Adjective
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The high-quality dress can be worn all summer long, in playful hues like white and green.
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Beaded sandals, in particular, strike a balance between statement-making and approachable, offering the same playful energy as the season’s beaded jewelry and bags without requiring a complete wardrobe overhaul.
Cite this Entry
“Impish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impish. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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