1
as in devilment
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
the children claimed that setting off a firecracker was harmless mischief, but they got a lecture anyway
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in playfulness
a natural disposition for playful behavior
your mother was full of mischief as a child, believe it or not
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in monkey
an appealingly mischievous person
he's a little mischief who means no harm
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mischief
Jabbari was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault and criminal mischief, but the Manhattan District Attorney's Office declined to prosecute the case against Jabbari, citing a lack of prosecutorial merit.
—
Shania Russell, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025
The juvenile in Canada was charged with indecent communications, uttering threats, public mischief and mischief over $5,000.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
In November, three people were charged with making a terroristic threat and criminal mischief as a hate crime, among other charges.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 7 Feb. 2025
There happened to be mischief at the county jail, however, as two prisoners, Richard Fadden and Samuel Chase, were working diligently to free themselves from confinement.
—Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Shania Russell, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025
The juvenile in Canada was charged with indecent communications, uttering threats, public mischief and mischief over $5,000.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
In November, three people were charged with making a terroristic threat and criminal mischief as a hate crime, among other charges.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 7 Feb. 2025
There happened to be mischief at the county jail, however, as two prisoners, Richard Fadden and Samuel Chase, were working diligently to free themselves from confinement.
—Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischief
Noun
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Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
5 Feb. 2025
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But even if truffles are beyond your pay grade, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had in the sheer devilment portrayed in this informative and appetizing book.—
Eugenia Bone,
WSJ,
10 July 2019
Noun
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This season Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Michele Monaghan, Walter Goggins and Jason Isaac are among those meditating, scheming and watching the monkeys in Thailand.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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The film follows Hal (Theo James) a reclusive stress case who desperately tries to reconnect with his teenage son while haunted by a wind-up monkey that incites a random (and ridiculous) death whenever the key in its back is turned.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The closing scene is Trump relaxing on a sun lounger next to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is widely portrayed as a devil in Gaza.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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At that point, Taiwan’s survival would depend entirely on U.S. military warships and aircraft rapidly arriving and entering into the conflict—a massive gamble for Taipei and a devil’s choice for the United States.—
Jennifer Kavanagh,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Or watch Margaret Hamilton terrorize Dorothy before getting the backstory behind her wickedness.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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There is killing and hatred and strife on every level and spiritual wickedness in high places.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As shown in his previous films, Eggers’ sensibility has roots not in contemporary horror but in stories from centuries past that become vivid and febrile, alive with an insidious devilry that inches under your skin.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
2 Dec. 2024
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That’s enough devilry to explain at least much of Haiti’s challenges without resorting to tales of satanic influence.—
Matthew Brown,
Washington Post,
24 Mar. 2024
Noun
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That’s flimflam, that’s roguery.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2022
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America, this is a level of pure double-dealing, roguery, and downright villainy ne’er witnessed on this television program.—
Ali Barthwell,
Vulture,
7 Sep. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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