as in mischievous
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
told her to act her age and stop throwing temper tantrums like a naughty little girl
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Recent Examples of naughty
Likewise, Alexander’s Hannah is the naughty girl who deserves to be punished for rudely moving in on Lucy’s crush, Nick (Benjamin Cheng).
—
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
From horrifying films about a snowman's murderous rampage and folkloric Christmas demons who terrorize not-so-nice families to comedies with a bit of edge and raunchy humor, these titles would certainly make Santa's naughty list.
—Lydia Price, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
Kaye Schloemer’s rum balls were a big hit at holiday parties and potlucks—sweet, bite-sized, and just a little bit naughty!
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2025
Our editors have scoured the market for the 10 best faux fur coats that won’t get you on PETA’s naughty list this Christmas.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for naughty
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
From horrifying films about a snowman's murderous rampage and folkloric Christmas demons who terrorize not-so-nice families to comedies with a bit of edge and raunchy humor, these titles would certainly make Santa's naughty list.
—Lydia Price, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
Kaye Schloemer’s rum balls were a big hit at holiday parties and potlucks—sweet, bite-sized, and just a little bit naughty!
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2025
Our editors have scoured the market for the 10 best faux fur coats that won’t get you on PETA’s naughty list this Christmas.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for naughty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naughty
Adjective
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But of course, the mischievous Cat in the Hat can only save the day in typical Seussian fashion.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
27 Feb. 2026
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That the Fendons don’t think to immediately tell their devastated adult son, Harry (Craig Roberts), that his dad is still alive is only the first delightfully absurd wrinkle in this mischievous black comedy.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Lakers shot 50% from the field and 46% from three-point range in a dominant performance against the NBA’s worst team.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
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Louis Trotter’s second Bottega Veneta show at the brand’s headquarters in the Palazzo SanFedele, Palau sent models out in beanies that celebrated the beauty of a good-bad-hair day.—
Arden Fanning Andrews,
Vogue,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Naughty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naughty. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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