Entry Word: mischievous

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness <the children had been so mischievous that we had to pay the babysitter extra and then clean up the mess>

Synonyms devilish, elvish, impish, knavish, pixieish, prankish, rascally, roguish, sly, waggish, wicked

Related Words antic, coltish, frisky, kittenish, playful, sportive; gay, happy, lighthearted, whimsical; energetic, lively, spirited, sprightly; artful, cunning, tricky; misbehaving, naughty; pestering, riling, teasing

Near Antonyms grave, grim, sober, solemn, stern

2 engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior <punished for their mischievous tricks on the neighbors> — see naughty
3 causing or capable of causing harm <mischievous gossip that ruined a good womanʼs reputation> — see harmful