devilishness

noun

as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm the children always concoct some sort of devilishness on Halloween

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilishness
  1. mischief
  2. playfulness
  3. devilment
  4. mischievousness
  5. wickedness
Noun
  • Both juveniles were charged with two misdemeanor counts of harassment, one misdemeanor count of criminal mischief and two criminal trespassing violations.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 12 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
Definition of mischief
Noun
  • Your daily practice, your approach to people and animals, your playfulness.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • To capture the playfulness of the brand’s ethos, Gozlan has incorporated a claw machine in the pop-up, where customers receive a token for a chance to win a bracelet.
    — Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of playfulness
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
  • Instead, Audi has built something that works remarkably well as everyday transportation while keeping a substantial reserve of mischievousness for those moments when an empty stretch of road appears.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The tension latent in Jobim and Regina’s working relationship gives their rendition a mischievousness that’s sorely missed in the monotony of Art Garfunkel’s version, or the twee precision of Susannah McCorkle’s.
    — Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 13 June 2026
Definition of mischievousness
Noun
  • Cathy’s treatment of Adam isn’t rooted in innate wickedness, as in Steinbeck’s novel, but personal experience.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Hartnett brings none of the wickedness that made his performance in Trap so much fun, just coming across as flat onscreen even as his character has to navigate some wild turns.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of wickedness
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.

Browse Nearby Words

devilishly
devilishness
devil-may-care
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Cite this Entry

“Devilishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilishness. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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