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
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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
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3
as in monkey
an appealingly mischievous person
he's a little mischief who means no harm
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mischief
Criminal mischief charges are possible after a review of video evidence.
—
Mike Stunson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2025
When the annual science fair rolls around, in lieu of a traditional project, Courtney harnesses her penchant for mischief with a social experiment that exploits the competitive nature of the teachers.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2025
He was later convicted by a Rockland County Court of acting in a manner to injure a child and criminal mischief on June 3, 2024.
—Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025
On Friday, police arrested Tedford on a felony criminal mischief charge in connection to the case.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Mike Stunson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2025
When the annual science fair rolls around, in lieu of a traditional project, Courtney harnesses her penchant for mischief with a social experiment that exploits the competitive nature of the teachers.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2025
He was later convicted by a Rockland County Court of acting in a manner to injure a child and criminal mischief on June 3, 2024.
—Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025
On Friday, police arrested Tedford on a felony criminal mischief charge in connection to the case.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischief
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
Noun
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This season Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Michele Monaghan, Walter Goggins and Jason Isaac are among those meditating, scheming and watching the monkeys in Thailand.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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The film follows Hal (Theo James) a reclusive stress case who desperately tries to reconnect with his teenage son while haunted by a wind-up monkey that incites a random (and ridiculous) death whenever the key in its back is turned.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The closing scene is Trump relaxing on a sun lounger next to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is widely portrayed as a devil in Gaza.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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At that point, Taiwan’s survival would depend entirely on U.S. military warships and aircraft rapidly arriving and entering into the conflict—a massive gamble for Taipei and a devil’s choice for the United States.—
Jennifer Kavanagh,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Or watch Margaret Hamilton terrorize Dorothy before getting the backstory behind her wickedness.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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There is killing and hatred and strife on every level and spiritual wickedness in high places.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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That’s flimflam, that’s roguery.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2022
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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 15 Mar. 2025.
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