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 longtime Adult Swim mischief-maker behind the viral hits ‘Too Many Cooks’ and ‘Yule Log’ specializes in hijacking familiar media formats, revealing the sinister anxieties beneath them. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 The stagehands finally lowered the elevated side of the stage, ended their mischief, and Belafonte began singing. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 McConaughey is glad to tell a story about some mischief on set. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 24 Aug. 2026 In a similar 2025 incident in Brooklyn, several men faced criminal mischief and burglary charges after they were caught climbing into a manhole. — Alice Gainer, CBS News, 24 Aug. 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

The Kukka chandelier by Sarah Sherman Samuel for Lulu and Georgia adds a touch of playfulness to the living room, which is located in the original 1930s Spanish-style part of the home.

— Rachel Wallace, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026
Leaving out the outrageous persona, the eye-grabbing iconography, and the sizzling live shows, his musical restlessness and playfulness generated albums that were and are appointment listening.

— Michaelangelo Matos, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of playfulness

Noun

At the University of Mississippi, a video went viral of a Black woman surrounded by white students and the white students mimicking ape-like motions toward the woman and making monkey-like calls.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Those born during the year of the monkey can place a flag or paper decorated with the monkey symbol on or around a sacred structure inside the temple hall.

— Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 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

In January, Watts was a guest on actor Rainn Wilson’s podcast, where Watts played devil’s advocate to Wilson’s skeptic about casual use of mind-altering substances.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
Throughout the movie, two mentors stand over each of his shoulders like an aproned angel and devil.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of devil

Noun

Miller was bold, having learned of life’s wickedness at an early age.

— Air Mail, Air Mail, 25 July 2026
Max Cady should be an unsettling interruption, a man who undermines our ideas of right and wrong through his nonchalance about his own wickedness; here, the most unsettling thing about him are those teal contact lenses.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 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

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mischarging

mischief

mischiefs

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Cite this Entry

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“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mischief

noun

Example Sentences

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