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

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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

Maybe Canada doesn’t need another billion-dollar weapons system – just a few more hockey sticks and a good dose of patriotic mischief.

— Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
The actors who work best are the ones who give themselves over to his sense of mischief and permissiveness.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of mischief

Noun

Fitoussi said the project began almost as a joke, with the idea of casting one of France’s busiest actors as someone who never gets to act.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
This set off a series of jokes between Meriwether and the cast, along with confirmation that there are no real plans for a reunion at this time.

— Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

Amanda Seyfried’s daughter pulled a spooky prank on her just in time for Halloween.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 7 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of prank

Noun

Your daily practice, your approach to people and animals, your playfulness.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
To capture the playfulness of the brand’s ethos, Gozlan has incorporated a claw machine in the pop-up, where customers receive a token for a chance to win a bracelet.

— Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of playfulness

Noun

The show is hosted by Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, who never fail to bring the laughs as the home bakers succeed, or seize, under pressure.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Oct. 2026
Eisenberg’s film garnered considerable laughs — and applause — from the theater-going crowd at its starry NYFF screening that saw Eisenberg, the cast, producer Emma Stone and even Claire Danes in attendance.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of laugh

Noun

Kids can explore an inflatable corn maze, go trick-or-treating, face painting and more.

— John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026
Beamer’s acumen in the game’s third phase comes from father, Hall of Famer Frank Beamer, whose Virginia Tech teams won games by blocking kicks and using trick plays.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 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

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
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

Definition of joking

Browse Nearby Words

waggeries

waggery

wagging

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“Waggery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggery. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of waggery

noun

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