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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2
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
Will Rogers' homespun waggeries struck a chord with audiences during the Great Depression
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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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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
Gertrude A. Zerr, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggery
Noun
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In this case, the cow’s curiosity (rather than any intent to cause mischief) created a memorable moment for both police and residents alike.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In April 2018, Johnson was arrested for criminal mischief.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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If that means being the frequent butt of jokes for his age, that's fine, too.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Try to ski with a friend, who might distract me with a story or a joke.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Rose also likes pulling lighthearted pranks to make others laugh.—
The Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
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Based on Agatha Christie’s thrilling mystery, the upcoming Netflix series of the same name is a detective story about a sleuth who investigates a prank gone tragically wrong.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That spirit of playfulness extends beyond the story itself and into the book’s visual world.—
Sarah Jones,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Somehow, the phone number in the matchbox has that surprise, that playfulness.—
Leonor C. Suárez,
Rolling Stone,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Spartans got the last laugh for now, too, taking both games.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Katz said, feigning familiarity with the leader’s influence and drawing laughs from the audience.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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This dish will do the trick with crispy chicken and fresh zucchini tossed in a tender linguine with a robust lemon flavor.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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But even an invitation to hang out again, perhaps paired with a gift card to a local lunch spot, could do the trick.—
Mandy Len Catron,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Cole follows up with a joking request to appear on an interlude on the forthcoming project, then asks whether West could send him a care package of clothes — which West agrees to — before exiting the stage.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
28 Dec. 2025
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Our poll’s options include a joking reference to Dan Marino.—
Greg Cote
December 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waggery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggery. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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