espièglerie

noun

e-spye-glə-ˈrē How to pronounce espièglerie (audio)
Definition of espièglerienext
1
as in playfulness
a natural disposition for playful behavior a delightful young woman whose espièglerie and sophisticated wit make her a favorite party guest

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm a femme fatale with a penchant for sophisticated espièglerie that men found irresistible

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for espièglerie
  1. playfulness
  2. mischief
  3. mischievousness
  4. hob
  5. roguishness
  6. wickedness
  7. rascality
Noun
  • That playfulness channels the same artistic impulse that first drew Coppola to the project.
    — Ben Croll, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
  • But the gala audience that showed up on opening night in Halloween mode (kilts, masks, bloodstained white suits, regal gowns) must have picked up on the production’s ultimate mixture of playfulness and horror.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of playfulness
Noun
  • Anderson is facing charges of possession of burglary tools, theft, criminal mischief, and second-degree criminal trespass.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The suspect has six prior arrests in New York, with charges including criminal contempt, assault and criminal mischief, cops said.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of mischief
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
  • The kitchen block across the way is pretty conventional and relies on a portable single-hob induction cooktop that can be used on the counter or outside via the AC electrical outlet.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 July 2026
  • The camper’s interior has also been electrified, with a modern induction hob replacing the original gas stove.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 June 2026
Definition of hob
Noun
  • The titular nomad needed, perhaps, an actor with a little more mischief and roguishness to sell his transformation from conman to folk hero (Harrison Ford, 55 at the time, may have been a good alternative).
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 July 2026
  • While the film grapples with Dexter’s (Sturgess) addictions and patience-testing roguishness toward her, Hathaway and director Lone Scherfig never land on a compelling reason for Emma to put up with it.
    — Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Definition of roguishness
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
Noun
  • Still, the pure rascality in these extravagant self-inventions shouldn’t be overlooked.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Definition of rascality
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

espiègle
espièglerie
espies
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Cite this Entry

“Espièglerie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espi%C3%A8glerie. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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