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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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
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives largely focused on Paul's relationships and role as a mother, and also documented her troubles with the law in February 2023, when she was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child.
—
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Paul was arrested in 2023 on misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to police.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Still, this 55-room ski-in, ski-out resort’s dramatic Alpine scenery would add a new edge with wintry spots for murderous mischief.
—Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 9 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
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Paul was arrested in 2023 on misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to police.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Still, this 55-room ski-in, ski-out resort’s dramatic Alpine scenery would add a new edge with wintry spots for murderous mischief.
—Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 9 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
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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With the same playfulness of her makeup, Woods slicked the body of her hair in a bun on top of her head; her caramel-colored curled ends slinking around.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
16 Sep. 2025
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This is why researchers agree that intentional playfulness should be a priority.—
Mark Travers,
CNBC,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Groups of monkeys amble by the side of dusty brown roads, while eagles glide overhead.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
22 Sep. 2025
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Not long after that trip, when a bad asthma attack put me in the hospital, on steroids, the three monkeys came to me in a vision-dream-nightmare.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
21 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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There is a background pattern on those stripes that depicts a devil, for some reason, but otherwise this is simple, effective and identifiably Milan.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
24 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 24 Sep. 2025.
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