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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in monkey
an appealingly mischievous person
he's a little mischief who means no harm
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mischief
Ben, Myself and two newly birthdays little 7 year olds saw it all —our first full semi-family Christmas together full of fun, mischief, and Mayham [sic].
—
Antonia Debianchi, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
They are wanted for criminal mischief.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
The 49-year-old allegedly broke into a home and was charged with burglary, two counts of criminal mischief, and breach of bail, the New Hampshire Union Leader reported.
—Meriam Bouarrouj, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
In February 2023, Paul was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief, and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to police.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Antonia Debianchi, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
They are wanted for criminal mischief.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
The 49-year-old allegedly broke into a home and was charged with burglary, two counts of criminal mischief, and breach of bail, the New Hampshire Union Leader reported.
—Meriam Bouarrouj, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
In February 2023, Paul was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief, and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to police.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
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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There was already this sort of more classical literary style and these more ornate sentences that are doing three different things at once, and some of the playfulness and the provocative and the prurient and the spiritual kind of call to care for the least of the people.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
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Much of the time is spent interacting with young schoolchildren, with whom Galifianakis exhibits a deadpan playfulness — testing them on names of apple varieties (McIntosh?—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The practice of eating dirt, known as geophagia, is uncommon in the monkey species.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
-
How was the monkey carcass, meat discovered?—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Social media users can’t get enough of Chico’s antics, as many lauded his mischievousness.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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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
Noun
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While the movie has some fun asking whether people actually want to know everything about their partners (a devil’s bargain since time immemorial), its real interest lies in how that knowledge is colored by who shares it.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
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Its theme — that the rich are different, and in not-good ways — meant she’d be forced into a ritualistic game of hide-and-seek, running for her life from her devil-worshipping, masters-of-the-world in-laws.—
Michael Ordoña,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That’s how Trip Cullman’s taut, take-no-prisoners production plays it — the pulse is allegro, the casual tone spiked with gasp-inducing wickedness.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
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An opinion offered offhand suggests a secret wickedness that must be exorcised.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Still, the pure rascality in these extravagant self-inventions shouldn’t be overlooked.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
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Naturally, such rascality didn't do overall fuel economy any favors; in fact, my average was just 20 mpg (11.8 L/100 km) over the course of 125 miles at the E 350's helm.—
Peter Nelson,
Ars Technica,
18 Apr. 2024
Noun
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Dancing spirits, dressed in Victorian-era garb, stir up devilry as the night unfolds.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Oct. 2025
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If Michael Jackson moonwalked so that Prince could show us the face of God with his brain-melting 2007 set, the NFL’s reaction to Fox’s inspired bit of devilry set the stage for the league’s eventual takeover of the American psyche.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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