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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in monkey
an appealingly mischievous person
he's a little mischief who means no harm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mischief
Police said Bean was charged with two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, first-degree assault, unlawful discharge of a firearm and second-degree breach of peace.
—
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
But the play-acting and mischief of story-telling can also be a vehicle for getting in touch with the deepest and most serious spiritual truths—truths of fate and coincidence, or suffering and justice, of life and death.
—Anna Bruno
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Two young boys accused of causing at least $50,000 in damage at a Florida elementary school library face several charges, including criminal mischief, after their mothers turned them in to authorities.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025
The punishment verdict comes one day after jurors found Raunaq Alam guilty of criminal mischief but not a hate crime for spray-painting anti-Israel graffiti on a wall at the Uncommon Church in Euless.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
But the play-acting and mischief of story-telling can also be a vehicle for getting in touch with the deepest and most serious spiritual truths—truths of fate and coincidence, or suffering and justice, of life and death.
—Anna Bruno
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Two young boys accused of causing at least $50,000 in damage at a Florida elementary school library face several charges, including criminal mischief, after their mothers turned them in to authorities.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025
The punishment verdict comes one day after jurors found Raunaq Alam guilty of criminal mischief but not a hate crime for spray-painting anti-Israel graffiti on a wall at the Uncommon Church in Euless.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischief
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Some parts of your curriculum might invite playfulness and bold new efforts, while others deserve more caution.—
Justin Reich,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The mix also alludes to the sense of playfulness that defines the homeowners’ personalities.—
Jennifer Fernandez,
Architectural Digest,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Resident parrots, monkeys, and sea turtles delight guests, while the beach, multiple swimming pools, and a series of freshwater canals, traversable by boat, provide non-stop activity options.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
-
People quickly reacted to the monkey’s birth on the zoo’s Facebook post.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
But this is no case study in the evils of devil-worshipping musicians.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Whether or not Alice lived happily ever after, Gertrude seems to have done so, at least once her devils were banished by inscrutability.—
Judith Thurman,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Still, the pure rascality in these extravagant self-inventions shouldn’t be overlooked.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
-
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
-
Dancing spirits, dressed in Victorian-era garb, stir up devilry as the night unfolds.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Maybe, Nicholas comes to think, what bedevils him is not a medical condition—the sort of thing a physician can properly diagnose—but the devilry of Pan.—
Scott Stossel,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share