naughtiness

noun

Definition of naughtinessnext
1
as in misbehavior

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in vulgarity

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Dissimilar Words

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 naughtiness There’s a tonal tug-of-war in this movie between naughtiness and aching sincerity. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026 TikTok users responded in droves, with many sharing similar stories of their own dogs becoming trapped in clothing or household items due to their own naughtiness. — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026 The guest-only Chapel Club has a more plush, salon-like feel and there’s more than a hint of naughtiness with stained glass windows casting color onto the sensual artworks. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026 Yes, the comedy is steadily simmering if not at a full boil, but if a bit of British naughtiness sounds appealing, this might just be your cup of tea. — Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026 The Krampus scares children, to remind them of the wages of naughtiness. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 21 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naughtiness
  1. misbehavior
  2. vulgarity
  3. devilment
  4. indiscretion
  5. misconduct
  6. crudeness
  7. mischievousness
  8. coarseness
Noun
  • The Board of Education, citing costs, gave Maes just a week to investigate the allegations against Hunter, a notably short timeline given that previous inquiries into alleged misbehavior by DPS directors have taken months.
    — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Oversight measures are crucial for seeing how often agent misbehavior is detected by monitoring systems, the company said.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of misbehavior
Noun
  • Lower courts upheld the ban, finding the veiled vulgarity of the phrase allows schools to ban it.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The diaries—particularly in Julian Sachs’s unexpurgated version, which captures Pavese’s alternating earnestness, archness, and pungent vulgarity—pose something of a problem.
    — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of vulgarity
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
Definition of devilment
Noun
  • Rogers’ indiscretion was later exploited by online blackmail scammers, ultimately leading to his downfall.
    — Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
  • All of these cases have provided something of a template for missteps and indiscretions by people who work in sports media.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of indiscretion
Noun
  • The Justice Department has charged about 90 people for various types of election misconduct so far this year, including 50 who are said to have voted as noncitizens.
    — SAFIYAH RIDDLE, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • SafeSport, a nonprofit established to prevent the abuse of athletes and address misconduct allegations, was dismissed as a defendant in two lawsuits filed by gymnasts that allege the organization did not properly investigate Gardner.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of misconduct
Noun
  • There’s some rudeness, aggressive conversations, and crudeness, but nothing too over the top.
    — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 4 Aug. 2025
Definition of crudeness
Noun
  • Instead, Audi has built something that works remarkably well as everyday transportation while keeping a substantial reserve of mischievousness for those moments when an empty stretch of road appears.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The tension latent in Jobim and Regina’s working relationship gives their rendition a mischievousness that’s sorely missed in the monotony of Art Garfunkel’s version, or the twee precision of Susannah McCorkle’s.
    — Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 13 June 2026
Definition of mischievousness
Noun
  • Most denim blends using hemp only include 20 or 30 percent of the fiber due to its coarseness.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • But many seemingly urbane texts also benefited from the intellectual and moral coarseness of their times.
    — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of coarseness

Browse Nearby Words

naughtily
naughtiness
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Cite this Entry

“Naughtiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naughtiness. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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