1
as in wicked
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
the children had been so mischievous that we had to pay the babysitter extra and then clean up the mess
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in naughty
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
punished for their mischievous tricks on the neighbors
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3
as in dangerous
causing or capable of causing harm
mischievous gossip that ruined a good teacher's reputation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mischievous
Helen Oyeyemi, the British Nigerian novelist who published her début at twenty, is an original—a writer whose style is equal parts mischievous, moony, and tart.
—
Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
With the help of Michał, a fellow school outcast, Hania encounters Sindri—a mischievous pixie living in the nearby forest—who vows to aid them.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Lacy maintains a mischievous relationship with social media.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025
Her favorite pieces she’s written for Outside are about competing on the Discovery show Naked and Afraid, being a woman alone in the woods, learning to write, and mischievous sled dog Blowhole.
—Blair Braverman, Outside, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischievous
Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
With the help of Michał, a fellow school outcast, Hania encounters Sindri—a mischievous pixie living in the nearby forest—who vows to aid them.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Lacy maintains a mischievous relationship with social media.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025
Her favorite pieces she’s written for Outside are about competing on the Discovery show Naked and Afraid, being a woman alone in the woods, learning to write, and mischievous sled dog Blowhole.
—Blair Braverman, Outside, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischievous
Adjective
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Sherlock fanatics may recall that Cumberbatch’s interpretation of Baker Street’s greatest sleuth was blessed with hints of wicked humor sublimated under those manic, elementary deductions.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 Aug. 2025
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The therapist reacts in horror, but judging by the wicked smiles on their faces, this kind of dry, mutually deprecating humor still turns them on.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The naughty Netflix comedy about a dog's wild night before getting neutered is now streaming.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Tucked into a mansion-like building in Midtown, this Mediterranean-leaning lounge has been upgraded to offer a setting that feels like a naughty secret.—
Rafael Peña,
Miami Herald,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Fuller was initially charged with first-degree reckless homicide, but agreed to plead no contest to second-degree reckless homicide with a use of a dangerous weapon modifier.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Besides being a nuisance, mosquitoes can spread dangerous diseases.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There’s also a playful side threaded through the record, embodied in the reappearance of his alter ego, Billy Bob Bo Bob — a kind of fantastical trickster figure he’s inhabited before.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
22 Aug. 2025
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Assets with compelling, natural storytelling, where the emotional connectivity and playful nature of the ad proved central to its performance.—
Manuel Machado,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Apparel, Footwear and Textile category fared even worse, with a 33.4 percent detention increase over this period, according to CBP.—
SJ Studio,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Aug. 2025
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The result for Fanatics may be at worst an inconvenience for its supply chain, having to replace or eliminate their name logo on products sold in Australia that carry the Fanatics brand elsewhere.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While some individuals and groups have called for a slower approach to gender-affirming care for minors, other pediatric gender care experts and advocates have said ending such care can have a harmful effect on patients' mental health and well-being.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
23 Aug. 2025
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Generally, coliforms are bacteria that are not harmful and are naturally present in the environment, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But Kealoha offers Lilo a wellspring of sadness and aching loneliness just beneath the surface of her more impish qualities.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
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The impish yet cute plushies are a global sensation among Gen Z and even those older, often hanging on handbags, backpacks and belt loops.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Those measures include safeguards from adverse effects of federal activities, restrictions on hunting or development, and active conservation plans like seed planting or captive rearing of animals.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
28 Aug. 2025
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Consumers who have experienced adverse reactions after using these products should report their symptoms and product use to their health care providers, the agency said.—
Adrienne Roberts,
Freep.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Video
'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine
'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.
Cite this Entry
“Mischievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischievous. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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