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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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
Gertrude A. Zerr, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggery
Noun
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The La Costa Canyon High School Theatre Department invites the community to an evening of laughter, music, and medieval mischief with this year’s spring musical Monty Python’s Spamalot.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
His old partner in mischief Charles Steinmuller floated somewhere between exciting and scary.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
No this is not a joke…Retro Weather Channel is officially back!—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The response to the outcry led to even more jokes online.—
Bennett Conlin,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Of course, the pranks are all in good fun, with owners keeping things safe and playful.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
And for 2026, the channel pulled off its creepiest prank yet, with a terrifying claymation short lifted from a one of their most popular shows.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Others will tell you that the day and its playfulness were inspired by an Egyptian legend.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For example, when Les unleashes the couple's cat Magoo on Lindy, Banks expected a certain level of playfulness.—
Sarah Rodman,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Looks like Love Story got the last laugh.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The two teammates shared a laugh.—
Ryan Brennan
March 25,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The only trick now is for the league to get a team to the final Monday night of the season and actually cut down the nets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Eating a balanced diet should do the trick for the majority.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
27 Mar. 2026
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
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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
Noun
-
There was none of the usual laughing and joking.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Lindsay says that Jesse was serious about asking, but that the make-out would be a joking make-out.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waggery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggery. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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