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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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
Fire marshals charged Cherry with three counts of second-degree arson, three counts of criminal mischief, and three counts of reckless endangerment.
—
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025
In the video, De Souza jumps around a bouncy castle and making mischief at a stuffy garden party.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2025
In 1996, he was found guilty of criminal mischief for threatening a tabloid photographer with a gun, and paid a $1,000 fine.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
She was also booked with two counts of criminal mischief, along with terroristic threats and resisting arrest.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025
In the video, De Souza jumps around a bouncy castle and making mischief at a stuffy garden party.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2025
In 1996, he was found guilty of criminal mischief for threatening a tabloid photographer with a gun, and paid a $1,000 fine.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
She was also booked with two counts of criminal mischief, along with terroristic threats and resisting arrest.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 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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That's what scientists think after watching a bunch of male white-faced capuchin monkeys walking around with baby howler monkeys clinging to their backs.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
19 May 2025
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In spring, the area will be dotted with wild blooms of sticky monkey flower, canyon sunflower and golden yarrow.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2025
Noun
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Assign a devil’s advocate to challenge views and ensure richer discussions. 6.—
Nuala Walsh,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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Mahnaz’s son is a Tasmanian devil spinning his ticking time bomb energy into entrepreneurial pursuits (running a gambling ring at school), bullying classmates and yelling at any adult that interferes with his forcefield.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
22 May 2025
Noun
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May God bless the entire Trump administration with swift repentance from this wickedness.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
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So long as Palestinians are violent Jew-hating savages, the conflict has nothing to do with Israeli occupation and all to do with the wickedness coursing through Palestinian blood.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 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 30 May. 2025.
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