as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
the gang of impish children ran into the street, utterly oblivious to the traffic
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Recent Examples of impish
On a humid evening in May, Patricia Lockwood, who writes with the impish verve and provocative guilelessness of a peeing cupid, was scanning the menu at a Mexican restaurant near her home, in Savannah, Georgia.
—
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Jude is an erudite man of the people whose hyper-literate intellectualism is only matched by his Chaucer-like vulgarity, and his work has long reveled in an impish fascination with the relationship between art, labor, and technology.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
The impish yet cute plushies are a global sensation among Gen Z and even those older, often hanging on handbags, backpacks and belt loops.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
The grid is a perfect romp of impish misdirection and original cluing, with an appropriately festive theme hidden in plain sight.
—Sam Corbin, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for impish
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Jude is an erudite man of the people whose hyper-literate intellectualism is only matched by his Chaucer-like vulgarity, and his work has long reveled in an impish fascination with the relationship between art, labor, and technology.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
The impish yet cute plushies are a global sensation among Gen Z and even those older, often hanging on handbags, backpacks and belt loops.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
The grid is a perfect romp of impish misdirection and original cluing, with an appropriately festive theme hidden in plain sight.
—Sam Corbin, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for impish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impish
Adjective
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Pomegranate Margaritas Inspired by the Fourth of July cookout, these bright, fruity margaritas capture Belly’s playful and mischievous side.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Sep. 2025
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The finale opens with a sneaky cello solo answered by a mischievous violin line.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Both are wicked smart brainiacs on a tireless quest to do good in the world.—
Natasha Stoynoff,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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As the mystery unravels from multiple POVs, Alex’s kooky aunt Gladys (Amy Madigan) is revealed as the orchestrator of the tragedy — her fiery orange hair, nimble fingers, ghostly face and wicked crimson smile a memorable image that haunts the narrative.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Mixing prints takes the trend to an even more playful approach, so have fun combining plaids with stripes and dots with florals.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Sep. 2025
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At the Collina Strada show, where founder and creative director Hillary Taymour often presents a playful but politically salient concept, models came out in twos.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impish. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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