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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in playfulness
a natural disposition for playful behavior
her irrepressible impishness means that no one is ever safe from her practical jokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
the boys' impishness was easy to forgive, since it caused no real harm
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impish
Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Enter the impish, shaggy-haired son of an Austrian police officer.
—Danielle Friedman, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
But Nathalie would never let this drop and would bring it up again years later with that wink in her eye and her impish smile.
—Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 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
Adjective
Her glamorous sound, fiery technique and sharp musicality, served up with impish charm and slinky couture, reliably cause runs on the box office.
—Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Enter the impish, shaggy-haired son of an Austrian police officer.
—Danielle Friedman, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
But Nathalie would never let this drop and would bring it up again years later with that wink in her eye and her impish smile.
—Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 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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Lois, no longer a promiscuous drag king, remains mischievous and irrepressible, even while getting pilloried on Fox News for leading a school workshop on gender identity.—
Charlie Tyson,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
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Each day in the world of Phineas and Ferb is filled with a fantastical invention or creation—and their big sister Candace (Ashley Tisdale) is still perpetually annoyed by their mischievous antics, and on a mission to expose their exploits to their mom, Linda Flynn-Fletcher.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
Roberts, who often looked to me like an English schoolboy—rumpled shirt, rep tie—had worked with Tina to transform the British magazine Tatler from a staid society rag into a place of mischief.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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The pair were charged with grand theft, with Prudhomme also charged with criminal mischief.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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This one says that offshore holding companies are wicked and should be penalized.—
William Baldwin,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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One scene in the school pool does a particularly wicked job of emphasizing Ducournau’s strengths, as the director makes a visceral, bloody spectacle of Alpha’s social pariah status.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Rhinestone pasties peeked out just beneath the neckline, a playful, unexpected twist that only SZA could elevate.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
30 May 2025
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This red bubble bandeau dress is playful, fun and effortlessly coquettish.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
29 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
Cite this Entry
“Impish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impish. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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