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
  • The feeling is cheeky and curious, a soundtrack to innocuous mischief.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
  • Another charge of mischief was taken into consideration during sentencing.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of mischief
Noun
  • Modi’s gestures, pauses and mannerisms have been turned into viral edits that turn his own words into political jokes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • The alleged joke bombed, greeted by the dinner attendees with silence.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 July 2026
Definition of joke
Noun
  • The tradition dates to Glasgow, where placing bright orange traffic cones atop public statues began as a late-night prank in the 1980s before evolving into an unofficial symbol of the country’s irreverent humor.
    — Leah Willingham, Fortune, 15 July 2026
  • Baudrillard is playing a little textual prank on us, inserting the simulacrum of a quotation into a book about simulacra.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Definition of prank
Noun
  • There is a heaviness and sorrow to that wise, ingenious goddess that obscured the character’s power and playfulness—a choice made by Nolan, no doubt to emphasize his dark themes.
    — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • But Barley’s playfulness began to reemerge in May 2024, when a 4-day-old Pekin duckling named Louie arrived, thanks to a Facebook post from an elementary school teacher looking to rehome two ducklings.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 13 July 2026
Definition of playfulness
Noun
  • The props team either hated me or loved me, honestly [laughs].
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
  • Haven, in particular, drew many laughs from the audience by playing Lee’s dull boyfriend Peter as a cartoonish surfer boy stereotype.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 July 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Coker — a wide receiver — was asked to run a trick play and play QB for a moment.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Joao Pedro scored a nine-minute hat-trick during Chelsea’s 6-4 pre-season victory over Western Sydney Warriors on July 28.
    — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 1 Aug. 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
  • Back in December 1968, Dolan wrote a joking column about the earlier Lake Worth monster, from way back in 1947.
    — Star-Telegram staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • Oh, but the Padres manager was ready with the joking last night.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 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 3 Aug. 2026.

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