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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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
This endlessly frustrates one of Nelson's superiors, Dr. Bellows, who suspects mischief but can never prove it, and is constantly embarrassed by trying.
—
Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Jahil Valle, 21, of Meriden faces charges of larceny of a motor vehicle, second-degree criminal trover and first-degree criminal mischief, according to Frederick Sifodaskalakis, chief of the Cromwell Police Department.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2025
Jayson, 43, was arrested in January on suspicion of misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief, according to Garfield County records viewed by CBS News.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 28 July 2025
That mischief led to Arenas’ original instance of being hit with charges — when his back and forth with Washington Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton led to big trouble at the end of 2009.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Jahil Valle, 21, of Meriden faces charges of larceny of a motor vehicle, second-degree criminal trover and first-degree criminal mischief, according to Frederick Sifodaskalakis, chief of the Cromwell Police Department.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2025
Jayson, 43, was arrested in January on suspicion of misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief, according to Garfield County records viewed by CBS News.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 28 July 2025
That mischief led to Arenas’ original instance of being hit with charges — when his back and forth with Washington Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton led to big trouble at the end of 2009.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 1 Aug. 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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The monkeys have bright orange fur on their limbs, tails and heads but gray fur on their backs.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
11 Aug. 2025
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Who Said What When By the time the deepfakes were discovered, Byron had resigned, the head of HR as well, and Paltrow/Reynolds had recast the discussion just enough to get the monkeys off everyone’s backs.—
Davia Temin,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The San Diego Zoo has cared for Tasmanian devils off and on since the 1950s.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Aug. 2025
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Tasmanian devils are carnivorous marsupials found only on the island of Tasmania off Australia.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Speaking after him, another pastor compared Austin to Nineveh, a city associated with wickedness in the Old Testament.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Donald Trump and Elon Musk and their universe of sycophants who worship wickedness can’t be changed by continues eye contact.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
18 June 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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As shown in his previous films, Eggers’ sensibility has roots not in contemporary horror but in stories from centuries past that become vivid and febrile, alive with an insidious devilry that inches under your skin.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
2 Dec. 2024
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That’s enough devilry to explain at least much of Haiti’s challenges without resorting to tales of satanic influence.—
Matthew Brown,
Washington Post,
24 Mar. 2024
Noun
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That’s flimflam, that’s roguery.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2022
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America, this is a level of pure double-dealing, roguery, and downright villainy ne’er witnessed on this television program.—
Ali Barthwell,
Vulture,
7 Sep. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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