1
as in devilment
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
the children claimed that setting off a firecracker was harmless mischief, but they got a lecture anyway
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in playfulness
a natural disposition for playful behavior
your mother was full of mischief as a child, believe it or not
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in monkey
an appealingly mischievous person
he's a little mischief who means no harm
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mischief
Santos was arrested and remains in the Dallas County Jail, jail records show, facing charges of felony criminal mischief and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor.
—
Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
Francisco Cabassa, 43, of New Haven was found guilty of three counts of interfering with an officer, two counts of violation of a protective order and single count each of sixth-degree larceny and third-degree criminal mischief, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2026
She was charged with felony criminal mischief causing damage over $1,000.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026
Mauser is an ambitious and charismatic tennis-table player in the 1950s who gets into mischief in New York City and abroad in order to win a world ping-pong championship.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
Francisco Cabassa, 43, of New Haven was found guilty of three counts of interfering with an officer, two counts of violation of a protective order and single count each of sixth-degree larceny and third-degree criminal mischief, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2026
She was charged with felony criminal mischief causing damage over $1,000.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026
Mauser is an ambitious and charismatic tennis-table player in the 1950s who gets into mischief in New York City and abroad in order to win a world ping-pong championship.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischief
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
Noun
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The piece includes a dramatic fringe skit, with movement and playfulness that contrasted the tailored top.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
16 Jan. 2026
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It was indicated by Michael Serna, executive creative director with Disney Live Entertainment, that such a level of playfulness would continue.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Meta back in the antitrust crosshairs Meta can’t get the antitrust monkey off its back.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
21 Jan. 2026
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The snow monkeys who live here are considered the world’s northernmost wild populations of all non-human primates.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Social media users can’t get enough of Chico’s antics, as many lauded his mischievousness.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Soon, the America’s Got Talent stage descended into pure chaos, with Cowell and Mandel showcasing their innate mischievousness before the latter turned his attention toward his fellow judges.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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His characters make cavalier deals with the proverbial devil, even as the costs become harder to ignore.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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There are sounds and shadows in the forest; the Devil, or devils, may be walking the earth.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Pearl revels in wickedness, presenting a literary world in which a successful writer’s haughtiness is both encouraged and rewarded.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
15 Dec. 2025
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But despite this being the internet, there’s no wickedness being thrust around — everyone’s taking the chance to get in on a memeless rollout.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
25 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Still, the pure rascality in these extravagant self-inventions shouldn’t be overlooked.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
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Naturally, such rascality didn't do overall fuel economy any favors; in fact, my average was just 20 mpg (11.8 L/100 km) over the course of 125 miles at the E 350's helm.—
Peter Nelson,
Ars Technica,
18 Apr. 2024
Noun
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Dancing spirits, dressed in Victorian-era garb, stir up devilry as the night unfolds.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Oct. 2025
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If Michael Jackson moonwalked so that Prince could show us the face of God with his brain-melting 2007 set, the NFL’s reaction to Fox’s inspired bit of devilry set the stage for the league’s eventual takeover of the American psyche.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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