WAGGERY Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

waggery

noun

ˈwa-gə-rē

Definition of waggery

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Synonyms & Similar 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 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

Noun

Nicole Bottiglierivega Miami-Dade Corrections Nicole Bottiglierivega, 42, faces charges of third-degree grand theft, contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a child, criminal mischief, and resisting an officer without violence.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
With modern elections often decided by extremely thin margins and billions of dollars sloshing through campaigns, both parties have ample incentives and opportunities to gain an edge through mischief involving third parties.

— New York Times, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of mischief

Noun

As Dave Chappelle takes backlash for a joke at Charlie Kirk‘s expense, the late Turning Point USA founder’s widow has responded.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2026
This all happened after years in which the President and the Vice-President have deployed racist epithets, jokes, and myths.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

Wang said Pop Mart’s task today is not only to sell a collectible but to preserve a sense of playfulness that people can carry into adult life.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
Then writing became my job in my mid-20s, and that professionalism wore away any playfulness that was left in reading.

— Maggie Shipstead, Longreads, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of playfulness

Noun

What really sets Black Doves apart, though, are its lovable characters and its beguiling mix of laughs and tears, which flirt with existential despair without ever fully tipping into it.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026
The two also shared a laugh over Lewis’ first impressions of the twins.

— Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

Even at the album’s more sedate tempos, gyrofield still delivers the manic intensity that marks their best work, building luscious tension with an arsenal of top-shelf production tricks.

— Lisle Younger, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
Trader Joe’s focaccia, sliced and toasted, will do the trick, or their ciabatta, sliced into small squares.

— Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 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

As the audience applauded, Stewart launched into his joking eulogy.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
Russell was mentioned in that speech, but in a joking way, playing off of how frequent Oscars director Glenn Weiss, who won for his role helming the 2018 Academy Awards telecast, had used his speech to propose to his then-girlfriend.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of joking

Browse Nearby Words

waggeries

waggery

wagging

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Waggery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggery. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of waggery

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

wabi-sabi

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes