waggery

noun

ˈwa-gə-rē How to pronounce waggery (audio)
Definition of waggerynext
1
as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm tossing lighted firecrackers around is not the kind of harmless waggery that it might seem

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter Will Rogers' homespun waggeries struck a chord with audiences during the Great Depression

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke her innocent little waggeries usually involved whoopee cushions or fake snakes in cans

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of waggery To ask you to step into the parlor was Maggie’s favorite waggery, the divisions of her cabin being purely imaginary. — Gertrude A. Zerr, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggery
  1. mischief
  2. joke
  3. prank
  4. playfulness
  5. laugh
  6. trick
  7. devilment
  8. joking
Noun
  • Initially, the couple was arrested on charges of reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, burglary and misdemeanor climbing of a structure.
    — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Ryan faces multiple charges, including criminal mischief and resisting an officer.
    — Bri Buckley, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of mischief
Noun
  • The chain, which has over 200 locations in the United States, was recently caught in a culture war against its will, sparked by a joke from former President Barack Obama on its aesthetic.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Later on during Weekend Update, Michael Che made a joke about Israel that made Jost jokingly grimace.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of joke
Noun
  • The old cemetery was an appropriate location for the familial prank.
    — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But after Paisley’s generous words, Swift remembered a prank that Paisley pulled on her nearly 20 years ago.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of prank
Noun
  • Wang said Pop Mart’s task today is not only to sell a collectible but to preserve a sense of playfulness that people can carry into adult life.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
  • When Hermès started in 1978, there was a clear ambition—to be as good as its competitors in technique but be different in creativity, materials and playfulness.
    — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of playfulness
Noun
  • Got lots of laughs, and one boy actually preferred the packets.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
  • That’s also a movie where laughs come in inappropriate places, but Labute got the benefit of the doubt as an unknown with no corporate support.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Tickets for the children’s museum’s trick-or-treat morning cost $3 per person aged 1 and older, and members may attend for free.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • More Life Kit on home organization 5 clever design tricks to make a small home look bigger.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of devilment
Noun
  • As the audience applauded, Stewart launched into his joking eulogy.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Russell was mentioned in that speech, but in a joking way, playing off of how frequent Oscars director Glenn Weiss, who won for his role helming the 2018 Academy Awards telecast, had used his speech to propose to his then-girlfriend.
    — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of joking

Browse Nearby Words

waggeries
waggery
wagging
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Cite this Entry

“Waggery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggery. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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