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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mischief
This fast-paced, 60-minute performance puts a fresh spin on the classic one-ring circus, blending daring feats with playful mischief and Circus Bella’s signature sparkle with the Circus Bella All-Star Band’s live music.
—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Saul Vargas of Saint Cloud, Florida was also charged with criminal mischief on June 15.
—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2026
State police said Werhan was arrested on charges of third-degree assault, disorderly conduct, third-degree criminal mischief, unlawful restraint, second-degree threatening, interfering with a 911 call and second-degree reckless endangerment.
—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2026
At 80, his cranky sense of mischief remains an inspiration.
—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Saul Vargas of Saint Cloud, Florida was also charged with criminal mischief on June 15.
—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2026
State police said Werhan was arrested on charges of third-degree assault, disorderly conduct, third-degree criminal mischief, unlawful restraint, second-degree threatening, interfering with a 911 call and second-degree reckless endangerment.
—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2026
At 80, his cranky sense of mischief remains an inspiration.
—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2026
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.
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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.
Noun
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Bubble skirts had their moment, but balloon pants bring the same sense of playfulness to any outfit.
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Fun and playfulness definitely trumped the grind here.
Noun
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Music plays a key role in bringing the monkeys’ world to life.
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Much of the island is protected by Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, a pristine patch of reef and rainforest inhabited by monkeys, sloths, sea turtles, rare bird species, and more than 80 types of coral.
Noun
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The tension latent in Jobim and Regina’s working relationship gives their rendition a mischievousness that’s sorely missed in the monotony of Art Garfunkel’s version, or the twee precision of Susannah McCorkle’s.
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Social media users can’t get enough of Chico’s antics, as many lauded his mischievousness.
Noun
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Also called devil's snare, the plant's seeds, roots, stems, and leaves are all dangerous if ingested.
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Beloved baby brother, American [WWII bronze star veteran], husband, father of 4 strong women, [grandpa], adorable scamp, handsome devil, and trickster to the end.
Noun
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Max Cady should be an unsettling interruption, a man who undermines our ideas of right and wrong through his nonchalance about his own wickedness; here, the most unsettling thing about him are those teal contact lenses.
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On the day of Cal and John's Sabbath fight over Cal's hair, Reverend Rose delivers a sermon that focuses on wickedness and fear.
Noun
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Still, the pure rascality in these extravagant self-inventions shouldn’t be overlooked.
Noun
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Dancing spirits, dressed in Victorian-era garb, stir up devilry as the night unfolds.
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If Michael Jackson moonwalked so that Prince could show us the face of God with his brain-melting 2007 set, the NFL’s reaction to Fox’s inspired bit of devilry set the stage for the league’s eventual takeover of the American psyche.
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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