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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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
Wednesday, of course, is always up to some mischief, bringing Enid in with her.
—
Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory, and mischief unfolds.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
They’re each united by coming-of-age themes including first love and first heartbreak, as well as varying degrees of anarchy, rebellion and mischief.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
The best children’s books mirror the thrill, terror, mischief, and humor of, well, being a kid.
—Daniel A. Gross, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory, and mischief unfolds.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
They’re each united by coming-of-age themes including first love and first heartbreak, as well as varying degrees of anarchy, rebellion and mischief.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
The best children’s books mirror the thrill, terror, mischief, and humor of, well, being a kid.
—Daniel A. Gross, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 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 is why researchers agree that intentional playfulness should be a priority.—
Mark Travers,
CNBC,
7 Sep. 2025
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But with all that being said, New Village Arts’ production is a likable, amusing and earnest staging with four ebullient actors directed with playfulness and energy by Desireé Clarke Miller.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The trip then took the monkeys to Dallas and finally to Nebraska with the help of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Wildlife Confiscations Network.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
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Casati Stampa di Soncino inhabited Peggy Guggenheim’s former home Palazzo Venier dei Leoni and infused Venice with 1920s glamour, wild parties with big band music and monkeys and filled it with famous guests like her lover, poet Gabriele D’Annunzio and visual artist Man Ray.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Soon, the America’s Got Talent stage descended into pure chaos, with Cowell and Mandel showcasing their innate mischievousness before the latter turned his attention toward his fellow judges.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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If his dad is his guardian angel, looks like Dexter now has a devil on his shoulder, too.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
5 Sep. 2025
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The term Jab Jab itself comes from the French term for devil.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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When Hedda and Eileen were wild together, Eileen’s drinking and carousing was a problem, but she’s put all that wickedness behind her, mostly thanks to the love of Thea Clifton (a delicate Imogen Poots), who has also just arrived at the mansion for the world’s worst party.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
8 Sep. 2025
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Jew haters have long alleged the wickedness of Israel and its ties with powerful elites across the world.—
Michael S. Roth,
Time,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Still, the pure rascality in these extravagant self-inventions shouldn’t be overlooked.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
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Naturally, such rascality didn't do overall fuel economy any favors; in fact, my average was just 20 mpg (11.8 L/100 km) over the course of 125 miles at the E 350's helm.—
Peter Nelson,
Ars Technica,
18 Apr. 2024
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
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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