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waggery

noun

ˈwa-gə-rē How to pronounce waggery (audio)
Definition of waggerynext
1
as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm tossing lighted firecrackers around is not the kind of harmless waggery that it might seem

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter Will Rogers' homespun waggeries struck a chord with audiences during the Great Depression

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke her innocent little waggeries usually involved whoopee cushions or fake snakes in cans

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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 waggery To ask you to step into the parlor was Maggie’s favorite waggery, the divisions of her cabin being purely imaginary. — Gertrude A. Zerr, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggery
  1. mischief
  2. joke
  3. prank
  4. playfulness
  5. laugh
  6. trick
  7. devilment
  8. joking
Noun
  • Thankfully Norton didn’t just avoid doing himself a mischief, but won the competition by staying on the the longest.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Monster recasts Abby, played with wonderful mischief by Rebecca Hall, as a bitter woman on the brink.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of mischief
Noun
  • The joke refers to Sheeran’s appearance on Chicken Shop Date in November 2021, when Dimoldenberg met the singer at Sam’s Chicken in London.
    — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Thank God for both Jane Wickline and Jeremy Culhane stopping by the desk for funny, clear, and joke-heavy characters.
    — Rima Parikh, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of joke
Noun
  • Over at Team Mauve’s house, the prank starts falling into place when Green and his teammates Jodie Sweetin and Beverley Mitchell get a knock on the door regarding a pizza delivery.
    — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The Muskego Police Department is warning Muskego High School students about consequences of pranks causing damage after the department received over 20 complaints in less than two weeks.
    — Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of prank
Noun
  • That playfulness channels the same artistic impulse that first drew Coppola to the project.
    — Ben Croll, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
  • But the gala audience that showed up on opening night in Halloween mode (kilts, masks, bloodstained white suits, regal gowns) must have picked up on the production’s ultimate mixture of playfulness and horror.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of playfulness
Noun
  • Pledging love and respecting someone or a relationship can make people feel so uncomfortable that leaning into these tropes of life can feel humorous, and that’s where the laughs from a Hallmark film come from.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Here are some of the posts on X that made the brothers laugh.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Also, that Frodo Baggins camera trick makes Katie look even tinier in the turret.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • If the extent of your lawn care consists of blowing leaves off a patio every now and then, a DeWalt leaf blower (or even a simple broom) will do the trick.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of trick
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
  • Arch Manning's joking comments at a news conference about a fake video of coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe erupted in controversy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Indeed, at lunch, instead of separating into groups to eat, all 16 participants form one mega table and spend the half-hour joking and laughing together.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of joking

Browse Nearby Words

waggeries
waggery
wagging
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Cite this Entry

“Waggery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggery. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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