mischief

noun

mis·​chief ˈmis-chəf 

ˈmish-

1

: a specific injury or damage attributed to a particular agent

… the polished floor … often causes mischiefs—bruises, sprains, dislocations …

—Herbert Spencer

2

: a cause or source of harm, evil, or irritation

especially : a person who causes mischief

He's a real mischief to his family.

3

a

: action that annoys or irritates

Halloween mischiefs

b

: the quality or state of being mischievous : mischievousness

had mischief in his eyes

Synonyms of mischief

• devilment
• playfulness
• mischievousness
• wickedness
• rascality
• devilry
• roguishness
• devilishness
• roguery
• impishness
• knavery
• naughtiness

Examples of mischief in a Sentence

It's hard to keep him out of mischief.

the children claimed that setting off a firecracker was harmless mischief, but they got a lecture anyway

Recent Examples on the Web

Both were arrested, and Cooper initially faced a criminal-mischief charge. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

The suspects were booked into the Fort Worth City Jail and face charges of burglary of a building, evading arrest or detention, and criminal mischief, according to police records. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

In their dealings with him, they are empowered to work all kinds of mischief and magic in his place and on his behalf. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Police said a 16-year-old and 17-year-old were both charged with harassment, criminal mischief and criminal trespassing. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English meschief, from Anglo-French, misfortune, hardship, from Old French meschever to come out badly, mes- + chief head, end — more at chief

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mischief

• malicious mischief

Kids Definition

mischief

noun

mis·​chief ˈmis-chəf 

ˈmish-

1

: injury sense 2, harm

2

: a person or animal who causes mischief

3

: mischievous conduct or quality

a child gets into mischief

had mischief in their eyes