1
as in playfulness
a natural disposition for playful behavior
as they grew older, they lost much of their youthful mischievousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
bored kids often engage in a certain amount of mischievousness during the long summer vacation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mischievousness
Social media users can’t get enough of Chico’s antics, as many lauded his mischievousness.
—
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Soon, the America’s Got Talent stage descended into pure chaos, with Cowell and Mandel showcasing their innate mischievousness before the latter turned his attention toward his fellow judges.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 6 Aug. 2025
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Soon, the America’s Got Talent stage descended into pure chaos, with Cowell and Mandel showcasing their innate mischievousness before the latter turned his attention toward his fellow judges.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischievousness
Noun
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That playfulness extended to the other guests, too.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
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There’s a playfulness, there’s a twinkle in the eye, there’s a sort of tongue in the cheek to that sort of tradition.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Triana has four prior arrests on record, with charges including criminal mischief, petty larceny, criminal contempt and assault, cops said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2026
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Agentic commerce can tolerate some amount of errors and mischief if refunds and transaction cancellation paths are clear.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
27 May 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
Cite this Entry
“Mischievousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischievousness. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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