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 laugh
something said or done to cause laughter
Will Rogers' homespun waggeries struck a chord with audiences during the Great Depression
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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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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
Gertrude A. Zerr, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggery
Noun
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Fire marshals charged Cherry with three counts of second-degree arson, three counts of criminal mischief, and three counts of reckless endangerment.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2025
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In the video, De Souza jumps around a bouncy castle and making mischief at a stuffy garden party.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Fans can also look forward to performances by the iconic Silver Spurs Quadrille, the adorable antics of kids competing in Mutton Bustin’, and plenty of laughs courtesy of the ever-entertaining rodeo clowns.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2025
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Jillian Bell's raunchy directorial debut is supplying the laughs this summer.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His client, Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter , received a prank call on Draft Night from someone claiming to be with the Jacksonville Jaguars.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
1 May 2025
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However, before receiving that call from the Browns, the former Colorado quarterback received a prank call.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Dave Chappelle roasted Donald Trump for taking over as chairman of the Kennedy Center—weeks after a past joke about the president went newly viral on social media.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
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Joy Behar landed in hot water when a joke about a decades-old scandal fell flat.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Noun
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The trick is to find multiple locations that are close enough together and decide on a menu that feels cohesive.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
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The trick will be whether the Bruins are paying for a career year or reliable future performance.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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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He is played by Ethan Hawke, a mainstay of Linklater’s movies, in a remarkable amalgam of bitterness, exuberance, drollery, tenderness, frustration, and tremendous artistic passion.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2025
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Matthew Rankin’s latest surreal comedy, between hilarious drollery and bitter disillusionment.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
18 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Waggery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggery. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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