1
as in devilment
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
the children claimed that setting off a firecracker was harmless mischief, but they got a lecture anyway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in playfulness
a natural disposition for playful behavior
your mother was full of mischief as a child, believe it or not
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in monkey
an appealingly mischievous person
he's a little mischief who means no harm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 mischief
The two juveniles were arrested and charged with reckless burning, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and second-degree breach of peace and are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
—
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025
Each party was wrong in its own particular way, and the result was a bit of mischief that left far too much power in the IRS’s hands and failed to solve the problem it was supposed to.
—Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
The mangoes’ mischief had struck again, and my neighborly gesture had gone completely left.
—Dinkinish O’Connor, Saveur, 8 May 2025
As a result, she was charged with one count of criminal mischief.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025
Each party was wrong in its own particular way, and the result was a bit of mischief that left far too much power in the IRS’s hands and failed to solve the problem it was supposed to.
—Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
The mangoes’ mischief had struck again, and my neighborly gesture had gone completely left.
—Dinkinish O’Connor, Saveur, 8 May 2025
As a result, she was charged with one count of criminal mischief.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischief
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
Noun
-
Both Judy and the monkey lost their mothers at young ages, except Dr. Watson copes by caring for people while Judy pushes them away.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
1 June 2025
-
High-profile cases in recent years include a monkey torture ring originating in Indonesia which was exposed and dismantled in 2023.—
Rebecca Wright,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Assign a devil’s advocate to challenge views and ensure richer discussions. 6.—
Nuala Walsh,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
Mahnaz’s son is a Tasmanian devil spinning his ticking time bomb energy into entrepreneurial pursuits (running a gambling ring at school), bullying classmates and yelling at any adult that interferes with his forcefield.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
May God bless the entire Trump administration with swift repentance from this wickedness.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
-
So long as Palestinians are violent Jew-hating savages, the conflict has nothing to do with Israeli occupation and all to do with the wickedness coursing through Palestinian blood.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
As shown in his previous films, Eggers’ sensibility has roots not in contemporary horror but in stories from centuries past that become vivid and febrile, alive with an insidious devilry that inches under your skin.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
2 Dec. 2024
-
That’s enough devilry to explain at least much of Haiti’s challenges without resorting to tales of satanic influence.—
Matthew Brown,
Washington Post,
24 Mar. 2024
Noun
-
That’s flimflam, that’s roguery.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2022
-
America, this is a level of pure double-dealing, roguery, and downright villainy ne’er witnessed on this television program.—
Ali Barthwell,
Vulture,
7 Sep. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share