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
  • That sense of mischief and adventure lives on in everything Richard Lloyd ever played — and that’s why his guiding light still shines on.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2026
  • An adrenaline junkie, spendthrift and incorrigible mischief-maker, Daniel arrives with his younger wife Ayesha and becomes the weekend’s most disruptive presence.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of mischief
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
  • Then writing became my job in my mid-20s, and that professionalism wore away any playfulness that was left in reading.
    — Maggie Shipstead, Longreads, 27 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 13 Nov. 2026.

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