1
: a specific injury or damage attributed to a particular agent
the polished floor … often causes mischiefs—bruises, sprains, dislocations—
Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer2
: a cause or source of harm, evil, or irritation
especially
: a person who causes mischief
He's a real mischief to his family.
3
a
: action that annoys or irritates
Halloween mischiefs
b
: the quality or state of being mischievous : mischievousness
had mischief in his eyes
Synonyms
Examples of mischief in a Sentence
It's hard to keep him out of mischief.
the children claimed that setting off a firecracker was harmless mischief, but they got a lecture anyway
Recent Examples on the Web
Dwayne Johnson is sharing his younger daughters' adorable reaction to their Elf on the Shelf's latest mischief.
—Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Bart’s mischief was less likely to register as an influence on kids as the show around him became more unmoored from reality.
—Darryn King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
Expect Homer to fumble more than just his nachos, Bart to cause some on-field mischief, and Lisa to deliver her brilliant insights—all against the backdrop of Monday night's football action.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
When coupled with ByteDance’s links to the Chinese government, TikTok’s potential for misuse or mischief is alarming.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mischief 
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Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Bart’s mischief was less likely to register as an influence on kids as the show around him became more unmoored from reality.
—Darryn King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
Expect Homer to fumble more than just his nachos, Bart to cause some on-field mischief, and Lisa to deliver her brilliant insights—all against the backdrop of Monday night's football action.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
When coupled with ByteDance’s links to the Chinese government, TikTok’s potential for misuse or mischief is alarming.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mischief
Dictionary Entries Near mischief
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mischief. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mischief
noun
mis·chief
ˈmis-chəf 
ˈmish-
1
2
: a person or animal who causes mischief
3
: mischievous conduct or quality
a child gets into mischief
had mischief in their eyes
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