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
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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
He was first arrested in 2012 in Palm Beach County, Florida, on charges of battery, improper exhibit of a firearm or dangerous weapon and criminal mischief, with only criminal mischief upheld.
—
Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Cats are known for their mischief—but some instances of disarray are just not their fault.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Accordingly, the werewolves and vampires generate much of their mischief and mayhem in the Kansas City area.
—Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Backroom deals were struck between politicians and judges, and the upstairs once hosted a fair share of gambling and general mischief.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Cats are known for their mischief—but some instances of disarray are just not their fault.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Accordingly, the werewolves and vampires generate much of their mischief and mayhem in the Kansas City area.
—Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Backroom deals were struck between politicians and judges, and the upstairs once hosted a fair share of gambling and general mischief.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025
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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And for those who love a statement, Chloe’s plexiglass wedges and Miu Miu’s apron dress injected just the right dose of playfulness into the mix.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
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The child’s name, Glen/Glenda, is an overt reference to Ed Wood’s cult camp classic Glen or Glenda, and the presence of the real Jennifer Tilly on the set of a fictional, in-universe Chucky movie only add’s to the film’s metatextual playfulness.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That said, can Milwaukee get the proverbial monkey off its back?—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Its cult-classic status among actual keyboard jockeys, code monkeys, and die-hard gamers was all but assured.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
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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At that moment, there was no scene involving a devil, but that quickly changed.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
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But this is no case study in the evils of devil-worshipping musicians.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When Hedda and Eileen were wild together, Eileen’s drinking and carousing was a problem, but she’s put all that wickedness behind her, mostly thanks to the love of Thea Clifton (a delicate Imogen Poots), who has also just arrived at the mansion for the world’s worst party.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
8 Sep. 2025
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Starring Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland, the two-minute clip teases a relationship on the brink, influenced by the unfolding wickedness around the couple.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
18 Aug. 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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Madcap technical devilry, along with a jestful sense of humor, embroiders the edges of his endlessly replayable mix.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
30 Sep. 2025
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Dancing spirits, dressed in Victorian-era garb, stir up devilry as the night unfolds.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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