MISCHIEF Synonyms: 135 Similar and Opposite Words

mischief

noun

ˈmis-chəf

Definition of mischief

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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mischief The actors who work best are the ones who give themselves over to his sense of mischief and permissiveness. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026 The suspect has six prior arrests in New York, with charges including criminal contempt, assault and criminal mischief, cops said. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026 Francisco Ivan Mendiola, 31, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on charges of unlawful discharge of a firearm, criminal mischief and shooting a deadly missile. — David Goodhue, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026 He was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on charges of unlawful discharge of a firearm, criminal mischief and shooting or throwing a deadly missile. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mischief

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischief

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
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

Definition of devilment

Noun

Your daily practice, your approach to people and animals, your playfulness.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
To capture the playfulness of the brand’s ethos, Gozlan has incorporated a claw machine in the pop-up, where customers receive a token for a chance to win a bracelet.

— Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of playfulness

Noun

The first episode introduces Pavi (Saheli Khan), a young bender who’s secretly the Avatar and has a pet cat-monkey named Geet.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
To make things even more complicated, the Black Best Actor candidate with the best chance of making it in is probably Jaafar Jackson of Michael — how’s that for a monkey’s paw?

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of monkey

Noun

Instead, Audi has built something that works remarkably well as everyday transportation while keeping a substantial reserve of mischievousness for those moments when an empty stretch of road appears.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026
The tension latent in Jobim and Regina’s working relationship gives their rendition a mischievousness that’s sorely missed in the monotony of Art Garfunkel’s version, or the twee precision of Susannah McCorkle’s.

— Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 13 June 2026

Definition of mischievousness

Noun

Cathy’s treatment of Adam isn’t rooted in innate wickedness, as in Steinbeck’s novel, but personal experience.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
Hartnett brings none of the wickedness that made his performance in Trap so much fun, just coming across as flat onscreen even as his character has to navigate some wild turns.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of wickedness

Noun

Dancing spirits, dressed in Victorian-era garb, stir up devilry as the night unfolds.

— Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
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

Definition of devilry

Browse Nearby Words

mischarging

mischief

mischiefs

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Style

“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mischief

noun

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