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
Date: October 25 to 27 Rooms from $713 Photo : Courtesy of the Tampa EDITION
The Tampa Edition
Head to Club Noir at the Tampa Edition for a night of mischief, mystery, and delicious dining.
—Meredith Lepore, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024
Bryan Ferry has been making mischief for more than 50 years, on the margins of the rock world.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024
Our one beacon of light-heartedness, humor, harmless mischief and fun?
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
The indictment charged James Carlson, 40, with criminal mischief and arson.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mischief 
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Meredith Lepore, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024
Bryan Ferry has been making mischief for more than 50 years, on the margins of the rock world.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024
Our one beacon of light-heartedness, humor, harmless mischief and fun?
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
The indictment charged James Carlson, 40, with criminal mischief and arson.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 9 Sep. 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 22 Nov. 2024.
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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