as in mischief
a natural disposition for playful behavior
the playfulness of the kitten can be quite amusing
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Recent Examples of playfulness
In Camps’ hands, a cable or crewneck is never simply just that — there’s a playfulness to her draping and cutouts, subverted by the juxtaposition of gossamer-like fine gauge underpinnings with cozier, enveloping sweaters.
—
Ari Stark, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Fans across the globe loved its authenticity, its complex rhythms, the playfulness oozing out of his collaborations with young musicians from San Juan music schools.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
The Nittler Residence makes a bold visual statement and combines architectural flair with a sense of playfulness.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 7 Feb. 2026
The night was all about playfulness and performance; designed to show how the best beauty products move at the speed of real life.
—Carly Witteman, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
The journey takes him from monster truck rallies to Ellis Island and beyond, combining American history with his signature wit and playfulness to meet the moment of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
And that playfulness carries on to the driving experience.
—Cyril Soliman, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026
September 23 – October 22 Let playfulness find room in your schedule!
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
And so the playfulness, the fluidity, and then there was something almost feline or animal or catlike about the character in my imagination.
—Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Ari Stark, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Fans across the globe loved its authenticity, its complex rhythms, the playfulness oozing out of his collaborations with young musicians from San Juan music schools.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
The Nittler Residence makes a bold visual statement and combines architectural flair with a sense of playfulness.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 7 Feb. 2026
The night was all about playfulness and performance; designed to show how the best beauty products move at the speed of real life.
—Carly Witteman, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
The journey takes him from monster truck rallies to Ellis Island and beyond, combining American history with his signature wit and playfulness to meet the moment of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
And that playfulness carries on to the driving experience.
—Cyril Soliman, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026
September 23 – October 22 Let playfulness find room in your schedule!
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
And so the playfulness, the fluidity, and then there was something almost feline or animal or catlike about the character in my imagination.
—Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playfulness
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
Social media users can’t get enough of Chico’s antics, as many lauded his mischievousness.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Playfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playfulness. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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