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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of mischief
Read More Merritt is a classicist and a mischief maker.
—
New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The second offense of mischief carries a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Common types of calls that the Civilian Response Unit investigates are burglary, assault by threat, criminal mischief, fraud, harassment, theft and information-only reports, according to the department’s website.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, was arrested earlier this month and then charged with committing mischief and being a public nuisance on Friday, April 24, according to local outlets The Straits Times and CNA.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischief
New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The second offense of mischief carries a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Common types of calls that the Civilian Response Unit investigates are burglary, assault by threat, criminal mischief, fraud, harassment, theft and information-only reports, according to the department’s website.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, was arrested earlier this month and then charged with committing mischief and being a public nuisance on Friday, April 24, according to local outlets The Straits Times and CNA.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 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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Still, the moon in Sagittarius adds a layer of playfulness and possibility to the mix.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
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Plus, adding a little fizz lends an element of playfulness and visual appeal.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2026
Noun
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In a portion of that video, players can be heard making monkey animal noises while a Black student was pitching for Crofton.—
Caroline Foreback,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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In the sketch, Sherman wore oversized fake teeth and mocked Wood’s Manchester accent in a line about removing fluoride from water and eating monkeys.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 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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Something is wrong at New Hyde, a malevolent devil or monster which attacks patients, including Pepper.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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While the movie has some fun asking whether people actually want to know everything about their partners (a devil’s bargain since time immemorial), its real interest lies in how that knowledge is colored by who shares it.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That’s how Trip Cullman’s taut, take-no-prisoners production plays it — the pulse is allegro, the casual tone spiked with gasp-inducing wickedness.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
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An opinion offered offhand suggests a secret wickedness that must be exorcised.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
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 8 May. 2026.
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